House Guest

Willo · #1 (**permalink**) 04-09-2010, 06:43 PM

It looks as if I have an unexpected house guest for the night and I wouldn't mind some advice on making it comfortable. I found a beautiful little grass snake caught up in some netting in my allotment. Having successfully cut the netting off it is clear of that but isn't looking too happy. Some of its skin has come away and is down to flesh. Part of it looks a bit squashed but it is alive and goes through bouts of activity. Phoned RSPCA and I will have to wait to take it to the vet tomorrow morning. We have a box for it but not sure what, if anything to put in it or how to keep it warm. Any advice will be greatfully recieved.

I think it is coming up to a skin shed as its eyes are a tad cloudy.

Naturenutz · #2 (**permalink**) 04-09-2010, 08:42 PM

Hi willo.you could put a layer of soil in the bottom and may be a loose piece of card or board which it may hide under. I dont think they eat while shedding there skins but you could try some small insects or worms as it may not have eaten in along time.The soil will help it grip and move , they struggle to move on a flat surface .Grass snakes like damp grass so you could spray a little fine spray as this will help in shedding the skin too.

Willo · #3 (**permalink**) 04-09-2010, 09:19 PM

Thanks for the reply NN. I shouldn't have mentioned the skin shed as it isn't what I am worried about. I am not sure if I want to put soil in the box in case it gets into its wound. I'll put something in the box for it to hide under. Any clues on keeping it warm and watered?

marvin · #4 (**permalink**) 04-09-2010, 09:59 PM

hi

you are doing the right thing taking it to the vet tomorow. don't worry about food or water overnight and the natural temperature of your house will be fine so no need for anything extra there either. with a bit of luck and treatment you should be able to release it very soon...maybe even tomorow.

tim

Naturenutz · #5 (**permalink**) 04-09-2010, 10:03 PM

it wont need extra warmth,they are cold blooded and become more active by soaking up the suns rays.Should be fine in your garden shed or in doors in a cool place.A fine spray of water wouldnt harm or a bowl of water would be ok.They like water and will swim but in the short term its not important.I understand what you mean about not getting the wound dirty but some other substrate would useful for it to be comfortable.

animartco · #6 (**permalink**) 04-09-2010, 10:41 PM

Hi Willo
Just a word of warning. Grass snakes like most wild things are great escape artists. It can lift the lid of a box easily, and slither up a steep side almost to its length. Make sure you have it in something that it can not push or wriggle its way out of, or you may be hunting for it in the plumbing!

Willo · #7 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 10:59 AM

Thank you all for your advice. Our guest is alive and well this morning and after opening the box and putting it in the sun for a couple of minutes the snake woke up and, as animartco predicted, attempted an escape so the lid has had to come back down.

After much to-ing and fro-ing I have been directed to the South Essex Wildlife Hospital so I shall be off there soon for the next installment of the tail

.

I am not sure how old it is but it is between one and two feet long (an estimate as I haven't wanted to attmpt it) and no more than a half inch in diameter. My guess is it is quite young. Haven't a clue what sex it is either.

Naturenutz · #8 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 12:36 PM

Remember they have a defence stategy of playing dead.I handled one once and thought i had somehow killed it.I laid it on the floor with its mouth open and looking dead as a dodo,a fair few seconds later it was off in a shot .Also they can give off a very smelly odour as a defence mechanism which can be very hard to remove from your hands. Glad he seems to be doin ok

ViperaBerus · #9 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 04:06 PM

Don't add soil or spray it. Soil can hold bacteria that can get into the wound and mouth as it uses force to try and escape by burrowing into the edges of the container. Several layers of newspaper are best as it can hide between the pages should it want to. Although, they prey on animals that live in damp environments, you shouldn't keep it damp at all. They are natural swimmers and live near water, but they don't like being kept wet at all and being damp will make the animal colder, which should be avoided. Grass snakes like dry areas and keeping it damp will induce sores and make it very uncomfortable. A small container for it to drink from would be good. They won't eat insects or worms as they prey on frogs, fledglings, fish and small mammals. Although adding any of those into a captive environment at this stage, would do more harm than good and it would be unlikely to eat anything.

It sounds like it is about two years old.

Naturenutz · #10 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 04:33 PM

Although i agree in hindsight that wet soil is probably not ideal, any soil in its natural enviroment could have bacteria so maybe its best kept in captivity until the wound heals, i do think the snake needs some kind of substrate as if you leave it on the floor of a cardboard box it will move excessively trying to get traction,A fine spray is useful when snakes are shedding ,the humidity helps the shedding process.A glass tank is easier to get the humidity required.As the eyes are clouded it sounds as if this snake is ready to start shedding.Also if the snake has injuries it may not shed its skin easily.