Found this little guy on my step yesterday.....need some info please

[mmissy1012]

He or she is about 12 inches long. What type of garter is this? What do they need to eat? What is the ideal habitat? Right now I have been keeping it on and off under my turtles heat lamps

[Stefan-A]

What you have there is a Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi). Not a garter, but a close relative. That species should have a diet consisting of slugs, snails and earthworms, if I remember correctly.

We have a few people here who keep them or have kept them. I'm sure they're more than happy to help.

[Invisible Snake]

I've never kept those species of snakes, but I have found these 2 old threads that may answer some of your questions.

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/garter-snake-lounge/3444-brown-snake-baby-care.html

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/garter-snake-lounge/11177-help-my-dekay-had-babies.html

[guidofatherof5]

Little brown snakes are awesome. I believe they don't require much in the way of heat. They should have access to water and a place to hide.
Hopefully infernalis(Wayne) will chime in soon as he has kept many, many S.dekayi snakes.

[infernalis]

What you have there is a Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi). Not a garter, but a close relative. That species should have a diet consisting of slugs, snails and earthworms, if I remember correctly.

We have a few people here who keep them or have kept them. I'm sure they're more than happy to help.

Yes good sir, you do remember correctly.

That one looks to be well fed.

Please describe "Turtle lights" These snakes prefer it cool.

They do like to bask, but I have seen hundreds of them in the wild, and the only time they are out basking is quite early in the morning before the sun gets up very high over the horizon, the tend to flee direct overhead exposure with the exception of early spring and autumn, this is also the most common time of year to just find one.

During the summer, they are under things most of the day avoiding direct sunlight.

Care wise, a 10 gallon or larger aquarium, screen top, a very small UTH (under tank heat pad) and very low wattage overhead light is perfect.

Also because of their lifestyle, they do prefer higher humidity levels, I have always preferred either natural soil or coconut fiber (Eco earth) as I can mist it every day.

The best kind of water bowl is the small dog food bowls with openings in the sides, it's cool and damp under there, and this will be where the snake will spend a lot of time.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Is their care similar to diadophis?​

[infernalis]

Is their care similar to diadophis?​

Could be, I never worked with any ringnecks.

[Buck]

Cute little guy! I haven't ever had one first hand but I did find a care sheet for you.
Brown Snake Care Sheet - Care, Diet, Housing Enclosures, Sexing, Lighting, Temperatures, Vitamin and Calcium Supplements. (http://www.repticzone.com/caresheets/1280.html)

[infernalis]

Cute little guy! I haven't ever had one first hand but I did find a care sheet for you.
Brown Snake Care Sheet - Care, Diet, Housing Enclosures, Sexing, Lighting, Temperatures, Vitamin and Calcium Supplements. (http://www.repticzone.com/caresheets/1280.html)

That care sheet is dangerously wrong.... Ignore it.

These snakes cannot digest arthropods nor will they likely feed on them at all.

Their feeding response is scent triggered more than motion triggered. (Think about it, slugs, snails and worms don't move very fast)

some aspects of the care sheet are OK, but it is flawed in much information as well.

[guidofatherof5]

Wayne's advice is solid.

[RedSidedSPR]

Very much so.

[Selkielass]

Ohhhh! I'm envious! I'd love to find one of these!

[mmissy1012]

Thank you for your responses everyone....I took the snake to our local pet shop and an employee there wanted to keep it, I was worried about keeping it another night without proper care. Very cute little guy, I'm guessing a kid picked it up or something but lost interest and thats how it ended up on my step. Thank you again everyone!

[Buck]

Oops >.<