black racers and turtle pond and fish tank

17 years ago

Thanks to Felix and Marcia for the suggestion to post here!

We've lived in western Orlando for three years. Technically, Clarcona-Ocoee area. I've got one of those small black round tub ponds (maybe 25 gallons) and someone gave me two turtles (red-eared sliders). I know they're invasive, and illegal to release, breed, etc. in Florida since 2007. BUT my "pond" is inside our screen room/lanai. Usually I keep turtles in a tank indoors. But I thought they'd like to be outdoors for the summer. One's 1 1/2", the other about 3" across. The only large predators that come inside the screen room are black racers and yellow rat snakes. Would they go "fishing" in this small pond, either for a turtle, or a fish? Also, what if I move our fish tank outdoors for the summer (while we do some interior renovations)? Will a snake climb up and go fishing in a 20- or 30-gallon tank?

I have to say, last year we had a beautiful little mouse up in the ligustrums by the Florida room window. Huge eyes and ears, I think it was a Gopher Mouse. Darn if the big black racer didn't climb the ligustrums all the way up into the rain gutters, and then, when the mouse spooked and bolted down out of the tree, the black racer followed it, like a bolt of lightning. We never saw the mouse again, and I assume the snake got it.

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Comments (2)

garyfla_gw
17 years ago
Hi
Moved my 150 gallon aquarium out to the shadehouse two years ago. Have had none of the dire problems I was warned about lol. Have been able to keep it warm all winter with a standard heater and styrofoam. Only problem I've had with ponds is HERONS lol. Quit trying to keep GF and Koi and switched to tropical fish . They can reproduce much faster than they can be eaten lol..
I also keep birds in an outdoor aviary . Have had a few snakes but RATS were the worst problem.
Have turtles in the small pond but they are ferral and come and go constantly. Except for an occasional bite from lily pads no problem . gary
manature
17 years ago
I agree with Gary that aviaries will pull in more snakes than aquaria any day. While there are water snakes which might enjoy fishing in a pond or container, fish are not usually the normal prey for black racers or yellow rat snakes. Racers are more inclined to go after small mice, baby birds, frogs, and large insects, and yellow rat snakes eat rats, mice, other rodents, birds, and so forth. In the normal run of things, they aren't fishers. I honestly think you won't have real issues with them trying to eat your fish. It's possible they may want to get a drink now and then, though.

As for the turtles, I'm not sure, but I suspect they will leave them alone, too. And I don't think they will follow them into the water to try to catch them.

Just my opinion, of course. Wayne, if you are out there, what do you think? (Wayne is our Herper Lurker!)

Good luck,
Marcia
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