Looking for captive bred DeKay’s brown snakes!

[Volchitsa]

Hi David339,

Very excited I came across your post. We have been on the hunt for a Dekay's brown snake!

Our 7-year-old daughter has fallen in love with snakes and that was all she wanted for her birthday. After doing thorough research we decided that a Dekay's brown snake would be an ideal choice for our family. We have set up a 10-gallon bioactive terrarium and have everything ready--but no snake! We were going to order one but can't find any online for sale. We've been going on lots of snake hunts outside but alas haven't found one yet.

Would you be willing to send us one of yours?? If so, would be interested in your thoughts on whether a baby or young adult one would be better for us? Please advise! Thanks!

[David339]

Originally Posted by Volchitsa

Hi David339,

Very excited I came across your post. We have been on the hunt for a Dekay's brown snake!

Our 7-year-old daughter has fallen in love with snakes and that was all she wanted for her birthday. After doing thorough research we decided that a Dekay's brown snake would be an ideal choice for our family. We have set up a 10-gallon bioactive terrarium and have everything ready--but no snake! We were going to order one but can't find any online for sale. We've been going on lots of snake hunts outside but alas haven't found one yet.

Would you be willing to send us one of yours?? If so, would be interested in your thoughts on whether a baby or young adult one would be better for us? Please advise! Thanks!

Probably the young adult. The babies require tiny worms which I can't find anywhere but harvesting them outdoors and are not suited for any handling being so small(2-3 inches long and about 1/16 inch thick, that's the newest ones). The red wigglers that you find for sale aren't really great for them. They like slugs most of all but those aren't the easiest to come by. I've been able to breed slugs but couldn't get the eggs to hatch. If you have somewhere you can buy regular earthworms or can dig them up (no pesticide/fertilizers or live stock) then the young adult is probably best. I have not been handling them much but I've read they can be hand trained. I keep mine with coconut fiber substrate with a heat light on one side and the water dish on the other with a big cork flat under most of the heat light side and a bunch of leaves. I keep isopods in tank for bioactive. Adults I give 2-3 normal size earthworms every other day. I usually just drop them in there. You're snake will have it's head poking out like a little periscope if you keep a good scheduled feeding. They do burrow also. Often times I've thought one escaped just to find it in the substrate. Once they get bigger or if you have a lot of things to climb on in tank I'd recommend screen top clamps.

[Rbarrett]

To David339, That is so awesome. I have been looking for a Dekay's for a couple of months to house in my 40 gallon vivarium. Every time I find one at an online store they are sold out. If you are willing to part with one or two of them to a good home, I would gladly adopt them. I currently just started with my bioactive substrate for a month and a half now with isopods, springtails, slugs, and worms. You can message me back. I am new to forums, so you could email at 6183173123rab@gmail.com as well. Thanks Rbarrett.

[David339]

Originally Posted by Rbarrett

To David339, That is so awesome. I have been looking for a Dekay's for a couple of months to house in my 40 gallon vivarium. Every time I find one at an online store they are sold out. If you are willing to part with one or two of them to a good home, I would gladly adopt them. I currently just started with my bioactive substrate for a month and a half now with isopods, springtails, slugs, and worms. You can message me back. I am new to forums, so you could email at 6183173123rab@gmail.com as well. Thanks Rbarrett.

The crickets could hurt them. Tail nibbles and such. I feed mine regular earthworms mostly and offer appropriate sized slugs/snails when I can. I will hit you up on email. I have plenty of 2019 and 2020 captive bred. This years babies are growing fast.

[Cordellholly28]

Do you still have any babys still ive been looking for so long ive got a terrarium all set up and everything and havent been able to find a dekays brown that wasnt field caught its a small terrarium for a baby as thats what ive been looking for but i also have a 25gal tank i can easily set up sorry to ramble i was so exited to find someone has breed them

[Hburghokie]

Originally Posted by David339

The crickets could hurt them. Tail nibbles and such. I feed mine regular earthworms mostly and offer appropriate sized slugs/snails when I can. I will hit you up on email. I have plenty of 2019 and 2020 captive bred. This years babies are growing fast.

Do you still have some of these? They are next to impossible to find in the reptile shops. I am new to this forum and I’m not sure totally how to message you here. Dekay’s Brown snakes are one of my favorite. Once while working outside, I fell and broke my wrist in seven places and while I was waiting to get a ride to the hospital, I saw and caught one of these little guys and fell in love. It relaxed me completely and helped take my mind off the pain during my hour wait. I would love to get some.

[David339]

Sorry I do not have anymore. I had only bred them this year for the guy who started this post and then he was no where when I had them.

[Curious New]

You’ve got another interested party for DeKay’s snakes! I’m actually looking to see what natural variations there are, would you mind sending me a few pics of the larger snakes on your group? Also have you ever had issues with internal parasites in the wild caught pair, and if so, how did you deworm them?

Also when it comes to tiny worms, it’s fairly simple to breed red wigglers/other worms, I’m not sure about slugs though (mainly how to prevent escape). I’m trying to breed snails for mine actually, a local plant nursery has a ton of them wandering around.