Found a brown snake!

[booyabazooka]

Hi! I just found this forum via stumbling upon this thread.

I just discovered what I believe to be a brown snake (photo attached, hoping somebody can confirm this) on my floor. A pleasant surprise, because living near downtown Atlanta I don't see much wildlife other than rats and roaches.

I made a spontaneous decision to keep it, and having no experience caring for reptiles, I'm looking for tips. I temporarily have it in a small bowl with some wet leaves, covered in plastic wrap with holes poked in it, and I'm just hoping he can't get out Looks like off the bat I'm going to need a ~5 gallon tank, a UTH, and some worms/slugs?

[Stefan-A]

I'd say there's a serious risk that the snake will escape from its current enclosure, if it hasn't already.

[booyabazooka]

I was concerned about that myself... but it stayed in there all night so far, so I don't think it will be going anywhere before I can get home with a proper enclosure.

[guidofatherof5]

Welcome to the forum.
Yes, that's a Storeria dekayi: HerpNet.net - Iowa Reptiles and Amphibians - Brown Snake - Storeria dekayi

A different home is definitely needed. Those little guys are escape artists.
You are right on target with the slugs and worms.

[infernalis]

A 10 gallon has more room and costs half as much as a 5 gallon (go figure?)

Wal Mart has 10 gallon tanks for about $12

Judging by the picture, you have a very young Dekayi (brown snake) so I highly recommend looking under some rocks in a damp area for some small slugs and baby worms.

This species does not require a heat source, in fact outside in nature they seek refuge from the hot sun and prefer to hunt for food at dawn or dusk when it's cooler out.

My observations (we have a very thick Dekayi population on my property) is that these snakes are always the last ones I find each fall and the first ones I find every spring.

Best of luck with your little one.

[booyabazooka]

Thanks for the reponses. I have the habitat situation under control, but I'm still not sure about food. There isn't really any slug-hunting area available nearby - my environment is rather urban, and it hasn't rained in a while. Are there places that sell slugs?

[infernalis]

No place I know of sells slugs...

you may have to drive to a park and look for some.

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, booyabazooka

[Selkielass]

Hello and welcome!
I'm from Michigan and we still have slugs here under rocks and such- I'd agree with Stefan about trying a nearby park.

Some people have discussed keeping a slug colony, but the details given were sorta sketchy. Put them in a *very* escape proof container. Feed lettuce, cabbage and other veggie stuff slugs like to munch on in gardens. I think they like slightly cool temperatures.
A terrarium set up in a gallon deli jar might be a good starting point.

[Mommy2many]

Welcome! And you have a precious little Dekayi there! They are wonderful; snakes to have. Where do you live? They love slugs and will adapt to eating worms. PM me and I'll tell you how to set up slug collection for winter. Good luck! They also love to hide. Being so small, they are probably more of an expert on "investigating" outside of their enclosure than bigger garters. Get him into a safer place fast!