Suggestions for insect eating snake

[CosmicOwl]

For a while, I've been considering owning an insectivorous snake. It's not that I have any issue with feeding rodents, but I would like to break things up a bit. Insect eating snakes are different, and generally pretty cool in my opinion. However, It seems like some of them can be difficult to care for. I've contemplated getting a rough green snake, as they're readily available and I'm not somebody who needs to have a hands on approach to taking care of my animals. That being said, it would probably be better to start with an "easier" species to get the hang of things. If you guys were going to get a beginner insect eating snake, what would it be?

[StudentoReptile]

Dekay's brown snake (eats worms & slugs).

Other alternatives:

Garter snakes & Ribbon snakes (eats fish, frogs & worms)

Water snakes (fish & frogs)

...all very easy captives.

[Kera]

I'm also a fan of Dekay's brown snakes, as they're also native here.

[CosmicOwl]

These are nice suggestions, but I'm not really interested in snakes that eat worms. I'm looking for a snake that eats(or can eat) primarily insects, spiders etc.

[franks]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Dekay's brown snake (eats worms & slugs).

Other alternatives:

Garter snakes & Ribbon snakes (eats fish, frogs & worms)

Water snakes (fish & frogs)

...all very easy captives.

Are water snakes really easy captives? How much water would tou need to keep one? They are so active man: total frog assassins. When I see one I'll take the hooks off one of my plastic frogs and throw it out there. They hit it so hard and will hang on for the ride back to shore. Cool animals.

[StudentoReptile]

Originally Posted by CosmicOwl

These are nice suggestions, but I'm not really interested in snakes that eat worms. I'm looking for a snake that eats(or can eat) primarily insects, spiders etc.

My, aren't you picky?

Ringneck snakes as well as crowned snakes naturally eat spiders, centipedes, as well as worms, and other small invertebrates, including termites and other insects. However, these are not "easy" species. Most keepers don't have much luck with them, and end up having to release the snake back into the wild.

For such species, my suggestion would be (and this goes for green snakes as well), is to set-up a spacious naturalistic terrarium complete with bioactive substrate, etc: basically, an almost self-sustaining eco-system, where you occasionally toss in the odd bug or spider, and the snake eats when it wants. After talking with some more experienced keepers, this is most ideal way to keep these secretive, fossorial species with specialized diets. They do not do well in the "typical" set-up with wood chips, two caves and a water bowl.
---
It is for the reasons above, why I threw in the suggestions of garter snakes and brown snakes. You wanted something different and easy, and those fit your criteria a little more than rough green snakes, ringnecks and crowned snakes. Earthworms & fish are more readily available as feeders then trying to hunt around for spiders, centipedes and termites.

[StudentoReptile]

Originally Posted by franks

Are water snakes really easy captives? How much water would tou need to keep one? They are so active man: total frog assassins. When I see one I'll take the hooks off one of my plastic frogs and throw it out there. They hit it so hard and will hang on for the ride back to shore. Cool animals.

I keep mine much like I would keep a small aquatic turtle: tank half-filled with water w/small internal filter, large basking platform with log hide, and large driftwood for basking and climbing.

They are very interactive and attentive snakes.

[CosmicOwl]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

My, aren't you picky?

Ringneck snakes as well as crowned snakes naturally eat spiders, centipedes, as well as worms, and other small invertebrates, including termites and other insects. However, these are not "easy" species. Most keepers don't have much luck with them, and end up having to release the snake back into the wild.

For such species, my suggestion would be (and this goes for green snakes as well), is to set-up a spacious naturalistic terrarium complete with bioactive substrate, etc: basically, an almost self-sustaining eco-system, where you occasionally toss in the odd bug or spider, and the snake eats when it wants. After talking with some more experienced keepers, this is most ideal way to keep these secretive, fossorial species with specialized diets. They do not do well in the "typical" set-up with wood chips, two caves and a water bowl.
---
It is for the reasons above, why I threw in the suggestions of garter snakes and brown snakes. You wanted something different and easy, and those fit your criteria a little more than rough green snakes, ringnecks and crowned snakes. Earthworms & fish are more readily available as feeders then trying to hunt around for spiders, centipedes and termites.

Heh. I'm not really picky, but I have something particular in mind. Garters and other snakes are cool, but I have desire to keep a snake that eats insects.

If I were to try to keep a rough green, I will do as you suggested. I currently have one Bio-active set up working, so it wouldn't be completely out of my reach. A spacious, bio-active enclosure with lots of cover and live plants would be the way I would go. With one snake, I don't think it would be too hard to catch spiders and various other insects.

That being said, I'll have to think about this for a while longer.