Hi everyone,

I’m Kevin and I am new to this forum, though I’ve been lurking for a couple days now. I found the following snake by my house 3 days ago. It seemed pretty harmless so I caught it thinking I was going to let it go. I have always pretty much hated snakes but there was something about him (or her) that made we want to keep him. The snake seems healthy and in good shape other than some mites and a couple scars-no doubt sustained in some intense life or death struggle.

Anyway, I have never kept a reptile as a pet before so I’m learning as I go. The people at the pet store helped me purchase the stuff I need including a spray to get rid of the mites, but I have some questions and you all seem like a knowledgeable bunch. I hope you don’t mind answering some complete newbie questions.

First I was hoping someone could help me identify the approximate age, species and sex? The snake is about 1.5 - 2 feet long. I fed it feeder goldfish the first day till I read that was not good for snakes and switched to live baitfish for the last couple days. Are baitfish safe or do they still pose the same thiamin deficiency risk as goldfish? And since this is a wild snake is it ok to feed it things from around the house (frogs, slugs, leeches, baby birds/eggs)? I have a couple ponds with thousands of frogs just asking to be eaten and there is no shortage of other small wildlife that I am sure is equally tasty.

I don't think it will be a problem to get it to eat dead pinkie mice since it readily took a dead feeder fish I gave on the first day but I figure I am already taking the snake’s freedom may as well give him tasty warm and wiggling meals if possible. Everything I’ve read says it’s a bad idea because of parasites but the material seems to be more about store bought snakes than wild snakes.

Finally, is the substrate I am using ok? It was recommended at the pet shop and it even had a picture of a snake on the bag. However, the bait fish have a tendency to jump out of the bowl when they see the snake. The last one was swallowed along with a few splinters and I’m worried it could hurt the snake. Thanks