What are the three key points of water snake farming and what are the varieties?
Artificially farming water snakes has the advantages of low cost, high survival rate, and a wide range of food sources. Because this snake has a relatively strong ability to adapt to the prerequisite farming conditions such as temperature, humidity, and rearing environment, it can be introduced for farming as long as general snake-farming conditions can be met. So what are the three key points to note in water snake farming?What varieties are there?
1. What are the three key points to note in water snake farming?
1. Water source.
Water snakes, as the name suggests, are snakes with aquatic or semi-aquatic habits. Therefore, arranging the water source is a major key point in farming. During the active season of water snakes, the water source must be kept sufficient and clean. In midsummer, thoroughly clean the pond and remove scale once every 7D15 days, so as to prevent water snakes from helplessly drinking unclean water, which can cause enteritis and lead to unnecessary trouble.
2. Food source.
In addition to liking various freshwater miscellaneous fish and loach, water snakes are especially fond of rice field eels and various frogs. They should be fed on time according to the season when they are easy to catch or the special fattening needs of the water snakes, and the types of bait should be diversified as much as possible to meet their body growth needs. Most water snakes have a strong appetite and need to eat once every 4D5 days. Generally, a water snake weighing about 100D200 grams can swallow 1D2 small miscellaneous fish at a time, and some can swallow 3D4. In addition, water snakes are especially bold; if someone is nearby during the swallowing process, it does not affect their eating. After eating, like other snakes, this snake also has the habit of lying still. At this time, do not disturb it too much, otherwise it will also spit out the food swallowed into its belly, which will inevitably delay the next feeding time and reduce the proper amount of food intake, which is extremely unfavorable to the growth of the water snake. The number of times people enter to watch should be reduced artificially, or strangers should be declined entry for visits.
3. Disinfection.
The rearing density for artificially farmed water snakes should be about 12D15 per sq m. In three-dimensional farming, it may be appropriately larger, but it should not exceed 2 times. Under normal rearing conditions, disinfection should be carried out 2D3 times per month. Either spraying or splashing with water may be used. Disinfection is best done in the early morning or evening. Because most water snakes like to be active during the day, and after eating their fill they especially like to gather together to bask in the sun; when the outside temperature reaches above 32°C, they especially like to soak in water in groups, with only their heads slightly exposed, and can stay still in the water for a long time. Therefore, disinfection should avoid the peak periods when water snakes are active outside, so as to spare them unnecessary disturbance and fright.
3. What varieties of water snakes are there?
1. Chinese water snake
The Chinese water snake, also known as the Chinese water snake or mud snake, is a reptile of the genus Enhydris in the family Colubridae. It generally lives in streams, ponds, paddy fields, or ditches in plains, hills, or mountain foothills. Its upper altitude limit for survival is about 320 m. It has a small head and a large belly, a dark gray-brown back with irregular small black spots, a pale yellow belly with black spots, and a slightly laterally flattened tail. Its total length reaches 700 mm. Its back is earthy yellow, its belly is yellow, and the front edge of each ventral scale has a black spot. The trunk is cylindrical, and the tail is relatively short.
2. Lead-colored water snake
The lead-colored water snake, commonly known as the water bubble snake, is a reptile of the genus Enhydris in the family Colubridae. It lives in paddy fields, ponds, lakes, small rivers, and nearby waters in plains, hills, or low mountain areas. Its upper altitude limit for survival is 980 m. In China, it is mainly distributed in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Yunnan, and other places. Its total length is 350-474 mm. Its back is olive-colored with a lead-colored sheen, its belly is white, the two outer sides and bases of the ventral scales are gray-black, and the center is scattered with fine black dots. The trunk is cylindrical, and the tail is relatively short.
3. Red-backed rat snake
The red-backed rat snake, also known as the water long worm or white-lined snake, is a semi-aquatic non-venomous snake. It is commonly found in ditches, paddy fields, ponds, and nearby areas. Its total length is within 1000 mm, and its body weight is 100-200 grams. Its dorsal scales are smooth. Its head has 3 “^”-shaped black markings: one on the top of the snout, passing through the eye and extending backward along the side of the head; the other 2 on the forehead, extending backward along the occiput and continuing respectively as four dark brown longitudinal stripes on the back of the trunk and tail. The front of the body has 4 rows of black spots mixed with red-brown, gradually becoming black longitudinal lines reaching the back of the tail. The belly is densely marked with alternating black and yellow checkerboard spots.
4. White-striped rat snake
The white-striped rat snake, also known as the occipital-striped rat snake or hemp snake, is a widely distributed non-venomous snake in northern China. It has strong vitality, tolerates hunger and thirst, has a relatively docile temperament, and moves rather slowly. It preys on small birds, lizards, and small rodents. Its head is slightly oval, and its body and tail are relatively slender, with a total length of about 1 m. Its nostrils are large and round. There are three dark brown markings on the top of its head, and three light-colored longitudinal stripes on the back of its trunk and tail. It lives in plains, hills, mountainous areas, and grasslands, and inhabits fields, grave mounds, grassy slopes, forest areas, riversides, and nearby places. It is also commonly seen in vegetable gardens and near farm chicken nests and livestock pens.
5. Twin-spotted rat snake
The twin-spotted rat snake is a reptile of the genus Elaphe in the family Colubridae. Its body length is 700-1200 mm. Its back is gray-brown with dark dumbbell-shaped transverse markings. The markings on the sides of the body alternate with those on the back. There are paired black markings on the top of the head, and another black band behind the eye extends to the corner of the mouth. It lives in mountainous and hilly areas, preys on lizards, geckos, and rodents, is oviparous, and is distributed across vast areas of North China and East China in China.
6. Water red-chain keelback
The water red-chain keelback, also known as the water keelback, is active both day and night and is good at swimming. After catching prey, it swallows it at the water surface. It feeds on loach, rice field eels, and other foods, and also eats frogs and tadpoles. It has red and black alternating markings, a somewhat red belly, and a somewhat black back. It likes to inhabit tree root caves by ponds and slow-flowing rivers, rat holes on paddy field ridges, or eel holes. During winter hibernation, several often coexist in one hole.
3. What are the effects and functions of water snakes?
1. Snake meat contains a variety of amino acids essential to the human body, including glutamic acid, which enhances the vitality of brain cells, and aspartic acid, which can relieve human fatigue, and other nutrients, making it a good food for mental workers. Snake meat has the effect of strengthening nerves and prolonging life. Its protein contains the eight amino acids essential to the human body, while its cholesterol content is very low. It has a certain effect on preventing and treating vascular sclerosis, and also has the function of nourishing the skin and beautifying the face and regulating human metabolism;
2. The calcium, magnesium, and other elements contained in snake meat exist in a protein-bound form, so they are easier for the human body to absorb and utilize. Therefore, they are very necessary for preventing cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, inflammation, or tuberculosis. Snake meat contains rich nutrients, and its fat contains components such as linoleic acid, while its cholesterol content is lower than that of pork liver, eggs, and others, and it has a certain effect on preventing and treating vascular sclerosis and other conditions;
3. Clinically, it is mostly suitable for people with rheumatic arthralgia, limb numbness, allergic skin diseases, spondylitis, bone tuberculosis, joint tuberculosis, lymphatic tuberculosis, and peripheral neuritis.