Will he make it in the wild?

Hi colubrid folks! This little guy found his way to my neighbors house. They ran away and called me. He’s clearly in shed and this eye concerns me. I have zero experience in wild native snakes and was curious if you all think he will thrive in the wild with this injury or if I should turn him over to someone who can care for him? I know I grabbed him behind the head but trying to do the right thing here. Getting a picture of this while in shed trying to handle him and take a pic at the same time proved nearly impossible. Thanks! https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...7767c80bae.jpg


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Hard to say with his eye...but the other one looks OK, right? I'd personally offer him temporary lodging at least to better assess & improve his chances by feeding,
but that's me... Putting him in a new location after he sheds & can see better would also help him...I might also use some ophthalmic ointment on his eye to help
prevent or fight infection meanwhile, though if he's a typical wild rat snake, he won't cooperate much, lol. And depending on how fast he digests, I'd also consider
de-worming him (easy to dose by adding a little equine Panacur paste to his f/t prey...he's not likely to insist on live prey). Then again, he might even enjoy living
with you... ;) With some snakes you really get a sense they're relieved to have some help...& his chances in the wild are definitely reduced. :gj:

Thanks bog! I have no experience with them whatsoever. And yes. While he is currently in shed and blue on the other side his eye looks fine. I would be hesitant to hold onto him permanently for the simple fact I have no experience. But he has decent size and looks like he has done ok til this point. I really fear his eye is gone and has been like that for some time based off the build up of scar tissue.


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I agree, from what little I can see, it's an older injury & that eye is gone for good. It's a bit of a hindrance to lose an eye, but at least he can still see.

What's his attitude? I assume sassy? That would be a good sign as far as over-all health & vitality, IMO. Mostly these are pretty adaptable snakes, but as constrictors
of wild rodents, it would be better (safer) to have both eyes functioning.

You're not obligated to "rescue" him...I only stated what I'd probably do...I'm a sucker for snakes, LOL, & I enjoy rat snakes.

Yeah. He has the normal rat snake attitude from the others I have pulled from various neighbors yards. I think I’m gonna give him a soak for a couple hours and take him to the woods. I like having the black snakes around. Thanks again!


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Yeah, it helps if he can at least stay in his neighborhood, where he knows his way around. Hopefully he won't try to move back in...? :rofl:They're good snakes, & pretty
common where I live too.

Looks like he was surviving fine before so I'd just let it go somewhere close by where he was found.

Always nice to see people helping relocate snakes from places they are not wanted :gj: