Water snake, also known as red dot water snake, commonly known as water long worm, white line snake. It refers to animals of the genus Natrix in the family Colubridae and similar snakes. There are a total of 65-80 species distributed worldwide, except in South America. In recent years, the species in the New World have been divided into several genera, with the largest being the genus Nerodia. The water snake is a diverse "family" that mainly includes the Chinese water snake and the lead-colored water snake. However, people also include the red dot water snake, white line water snake, banded water snake (semi-aquatic), and common water snake (water moccasin) with semi-aquatic habits in the water snake "family".
A total of 65-80 species are distributed worldwide. It is found in all continents except South America. Recently, the species in the New World have been classified into several genera, with the largest being the genus Nerodia. Water snake is a diverse "family" that mainly includes the Chinese water snake and the lead-colored water snake. However, people also include semi-aquatic snakes such as the red dot water snake, the white line water snake, the double-spotted water snake (dry water snake), and the water red link water snake in the water snake "family".
Water snakes are originally inconspicuous and were not listed as breeding projects, but they have now become hot commodities in the market. Water snakes belong to a diverse group of 8 major families, mainly including Chinese water snakes and lead-colored water snakes; however, people also include species with semi-aquatic habits such as red dot water snakes, white line water snakes, banded water snakes (also known as dry water snakes), and water skinks under the "water snake family."
Breeding water snakes has advantages such as low cost, high survival rate, and a wide range of food sources. Water snakes have strong adaptability to temperature, humidity, and breeding environments. As long as the usual conditions for snake breeding can be met, they can be introduced for breeding. Water snakes have varied diets, are easy to domesticate, and are not dangerous. They are particularly suitable for first-time snake owners or farmers with limited funds.
1. Acute Pneumonia
One of the common diseases in snakes. The symptoms are difficult breathing, mouth open, unwilling to hunt, long stay outside the nest, the onset is relatively urgent, and can cause a large number of deaths when severe. It mostly occurs during the period when female snakes lay eggs or give birth, because the body is weak and does not drink water during this time, coupled with humid and hot weather, which makes snakes prone to illness. The prevention and control measures are to supplement adequate clean water to female snakes during egg laying (giving birth), maintain good ventilation, and reduce the surrounding temperature.
2. Mold Spot Disease
Common in captive snakes, especially step snakes such as vipers and five-step snakes. This disease often occurs in poor living environments, small activity range, and humid environments. The main preventive measures are to keep the snake's habitat dry and allow the snake to have a certain range of activities. Lime can also be used regularly to sweep and absorb moisture, or wrap the lime with paper and put it on one side of the snake's nest, and replace it regularly.
Treatment: Apply 2% iodine tincture to the affected snake body twice a day. Or soak it in a solution of potassium permanganate, and it can be cured after 1 week. Mold spot disease should be detected and treated early, and the treatment effect is not good in the late stage.
3. Parasite
There are many types of parasites in snake bodies, including tapeworms, nematodes, cestodes, and roundworms. Ticks and mites parasitize on snake skin.
Treatment methods: Oral administration of animal anticholinesterase solution, giving the medicine according to the weight of the snake per kilogram for 5 consecutive days, has a killing or expelling effect on various internal parasites. In addition, drugs such as fenbendazole, thiazole, and dicliphene can be used. Ticks and mites parasitizing on the skin can be put the snake in a nylon bag and immersed in the animal anticholinesterase solution for 10 minutes, and the ticks and mites will die and fall off, and then wash the skin with water.
4. Snake Oral Inflammation
It is almost the most common disease in snakes. Oral inflammation is prone to occur in venomous snakes because the process of venom extraction can easily cause oral injuries. Improper repeated venom collection methods or careless operations can easily cause oral inflammation. During hibernation, certain bacteria are prone to invade the cheek, which can also cause oral inflammation. During the hunting season, if the prey is large, fighting or swallowing can also cause oral injuries and induce inflammation. If it is artificially fed, the incidence of oral inflammation is even higher. The main manifestations are swelling of the upper and lower jaws, unable to open or close the mouth, affecting feeding. Sometimes the gums and frontal area of the mouth turn red (normally pale), and in severe cases, there will be pus overflowing from some tooth sockets. Finally, due to the spread of inflammation, the snake cannot drink water, becomes weak, and dies.
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