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I found a baby Northern Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi dekayi). how to care for him?
I found a baby Northern Brown snake in a mechanic shop. Since its the start of cold weather, I was wondering if I could keep him till the spring them let him go. What would I feed him to keep him used to feeding in the wild next spring? I don't want him to die if I put him outside now. I think it might be too late to have him find a place. He is very young.
Thanks everyone. I appreciate the help. He is only about 4-5 inches long. So I am pretty sure he is a baby. I found in at a mechanic shop and there isn't really anywhere there he could hibernate. Thats what worries me. Thats why for the winter I wanted to keep him and then let him out in the spring. I know they hibernate with other snakes so I was worried that if I put him in one of the forests by my house he would die trying to find somewhere. In the summer he will have the warmth to try and find some other snakes to breed and live properly.
Thanks for you help everyone.
7 Answers
- Quiet TempestLv 51 decade agoFavorite Answer
Dekays feed on worms, snails, slugs, and soft-bodied grubs. I think they are probably one of my favorite native snakes because they only grow to be around a foot long and give birth to live young. Babies are tiny -- only a few inches long.
My guess would be that what you found is an adult that's looking for a place to brumate through the colder months of winter. It would be in the snake's best interest that you release it so that it can continue its search and prepare for brumation.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
No, they won't eat pinkies ever - in their whole life - they will never get big enough. I have one right now and I feed it worms. They also need slugs. They don't make that good of a pet because they are very hard to handle. Oh yeah, If he's very young he will me about 4-5 inches long. 12 inches is a good sized storeria dakayi.
- 1 decade ago
I would let him go as soon as you can. He will have a higher chance or survival if you release him before you are into the freezing temps.
The trouble with keeping him is that his food source is difficult to find in the winter, slugs and worms. It may be difficult to get him feeding with snow on the ground.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
i speak from experience (daughter found one years ago and wouldnt give it up)here when i say night crawler scented crickets, eventually unscented crickets lol. the things we do huh? dekay's are pretty hardy once feeding though. that said , i would put it back were i found it. it is not as easy as it sounds to get them feeding and it would be best for the snake if it was put back since it does have enough time to get ready for winter.
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- Beth PLv 71 decade ago
Look up care on website. Best bet would be to find a local wildlife rehabber in your area who could advise you or take the critter and release when ready. Good luck.Find rehabber by calling local vets who will know one or the DEC.
Source(s): w.rehabber - madsnakemanLv 71 decade ago
They eat worms and slugs. Usually, you'll have better luck with slugs. They don't eat pinky mice like the first answerer seems to think.
