What is it? This cutie was hanging out in front of my door.

[mcga2014]

Hi y'all,

I walked out of my front door this weekend and found this little fella just enjoying the sun on the sidewalk.

As I did not know if it's venomous and with children living here as well, I have decided to use a (long) stick to guide it away from the middle of the walkway.

I just wanted to check with the experts here to find out what we are dealing with here.

Side info: Living in Georgia, Northern Atlanta Metropolitan area.

Many thanks in advance.

Best,

Chris

[infernalis]

a photo would help, send it to motovet@gmail.com and I will post it for you, since our software is set up (to keep spam ads off the forum) to disallow photos from new members until 5 posts are made. (sorry I cannot change that)

[mcga2014]

Hi infernalis,

i have sent you the pictures by email.

Many thanks,

Chris

[sharthun]

Hey and Welcome! Thanks for safely guiding it away!:)


Hi y'all,

I walked out of my front door this weekend and found this little fella just enjoying the sun on the sidewalk.

As I did not know if it's venomous and with children living here as well, I have decided to use a (long) stick to guide it away from the middle of the walkway.

I just wanted to check with the experts here to find out what we are dealing with here.

Side info: Living in Georgia, Northern Atlanta Metropolitan area.

Many thanks in advance.

Best,

Chris

[mcga2014]

Hey and Welcome! Thanks for safely guiding it away!:)

Oh, of course. I would never think of harming it :) But it was sitting right in the middle in front of the main entrance, just not the best spot to sunbathe :D

I'm just waiting on infernalis to upload my pictures now to see if someone here can identify it.

Best,

Chris

[infernalis]

nothing in my email yet? I will email you and then just reply.

as admin I alredy have your info.

[infernalis]

email sent

[infernalis]

what you are looking at is a Storeria dekayi, also known as the Deakay brown snake.

They are a specialist feeder that eat slugs, snails and small earthworms, they are a smallish species that average 18 inches or less, bear live young (do not lay eggs) and are super docile, I have handled hundreds and only one ever tried to bite me.

Amazing fact, they are highly skilled at removing snails from the shell. whenever you find empty snail shells in a garden or your lawn, it was a dekayi (or it's red belly cousin) that did the deed.

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/DK/dekayi.jpg

This is me feeding one snails by hand..

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/DK/snaileat.jpg

[infernalis]

http://www.reptard.info/xena/xena1.jpg



http://www.reptard.info/xena/xena2.jpg

[mcga2014]

Thank you so much :)

I'm just glad it's not dangerous/venomous and I hope it stays off the middle of the walkway going forward not to be stepped on.

Best,

Chris

[jarich]

Awesome pictures Wayne. Love the garter snakes, they are my favourite snakes I own now. Such personalities in such a little active package.

[DrummingT]

These snakes lived near my house as a child. I had seven of them in an aquarium at one point. I fed them night crawlers I would catch in my yard at night with a scoop and a flashlight and store in my refrigerator.

[shaunyboy]

great pic's thanks for sharing

i wish i could walk out my house and find all the cool wildlife you guys have


cheers shaun