Quote Originally Posted by KJE
Yay! I think we have a winner! It looks EXACTLY like the juvie black rat snake. The western fox was close, but something wasn't adding up. The black rat has the exact same markings on its head.

Thanks so much!

Now I have to find a good care sheet because we would like to keep it for a short time before releasing it.
Just a note on that. As you can see I have already recommended holding onto him if nothing else to be sure of what you have. I would just say being in Ohio consider the cold weather is comming quickly so I would plan on keeping him until spring thaw. That is what 6-7 months no big deal.

Next on care, consider him a corn snake. Do what you would for a corn and well you can just black rats, grey rats, foxes, all of them should be treated just like a corn. They could not be easier to care for.

Last be prepared for something many that only keep Captive Bred never experience. Many wild caught snakes will go off feed in winter even start to do so in the fall. Some will, some won't but it happens a lot. Apparently warm temps alone are not enough for many native snakes to accept that they don't need to burmate. So if he eats now but say in a few weeks to say in Oct or Nov. sometimes stops eating don't sweat. Make sure he has water, and offer food for a while. If he really shuts down, goes say a 3 weeks with out eating. Take away the heat, put him in dark quiet area and just keep his water available. You can take him down to 60-65 degrees if this occurs.

Then in late Feb - Early March, go to 14 hours of light, turn on the heat and he will start to eat again. Since you have a baby this may not occur, 90% he will eat all through the winter, just thought I would save you from any fear if he goes off feed. Call it premptive knowledge,