identification help

[RaVeNo888o]

hi. Someone on another forum (non snake related) caught this snake in their backyard. They live in texas, here is a pic. Somebody their figured it was a DeKay brown snake but i wanted to check here to make sure
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/218769/000_0409.jpg

[Removed_2815]

Yes, I believe it is a DeKay's Snake (Brown Snake).
Cheers,
RMB
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/2815brown_snake.jpg

[RaVeNo888o]

thanks, i thought so..i have been giving them advice on it as they want to keep it for awhile. They were goin to use a hot rock!!:o lol
i couldnt find specific temp gradient for in the tank but i assume that 85 on heated side and 75 on cool side should be fine due to its location

[RaVeNo888o]

is that your brown snake or just a reference picture that you found?

[Removed_2815]

Eek! Yeah, hot rocks are a no no. The temperature gradient you suggested should be fine. I have never kept this native species in captivity (only observed them in the wild). I think all Storeria are notorious slug-eaters so they don't usually fare well in captivity.
Cheers,
RMB

[Removed_2815]

That particular specimen was found in Cedar Bog (an historical area in Ohio), near Urbana, Ohio. I take only pictures, so hopefully she was able to deliver those babies :)
RMB

[RaVeNo888o]

Yes, they eat slugs, worms, soft boddied insects, spiders, minnows, small fish. Why is it that they don't do well in captivity?

[RaVeNo888o]

oh ya, i didnt notice that before. She is quit fat there. I wish i was able to go and look for wild snakes here but the local isnt great and the time isnt there..some day though

[Removed_2815]

I guess I was speaking in reference to keeping them in captivity here in Ontario.... Slugs aren't readily available year-round, I guess you could culture them though.
I suppose they might be able to fare-well in captivity if their diet could be accomodated, I don't really have experience with them.
Cheers,
RMB

[RaVeNo888o]

ohh. ok..i wonder if they could eat crickets? possibly even those dead ones at the pet store? those would be readily available. and supliment with some feeder fish and worms.

[BWSmith]

I would probably keep the cage at about 75 degrees. Give them lots of cover. Flat rocks on the substrate. Soil is actually a better substrate for the. You can just feed them bait worms. I cup fed mine and ended up with little ones all over the cage. Shallow water bowl.

[RaVeNo888o]

what do u mean by cup feed. Do you just leave the container of worms in the cage all the time and let him feed on his own?

[BWSmith]

put him in a deli cup with a worm for feeding time. After he eats, put him back int he cage.

[jaybox_reptiles]

hi i live in texas and it probably is a dekay but you might also look into it being a whip snake to cuz are whip snakes look alot like that not exactly but alot

[RaVeNo888o]

is one worm good enough for a feed? how large? once every 5-7 days as usual?