Snake compatibility?

[Brettleland]

Hey, I'm new to this community and would like some advise on two Dekay's brown snakes that I have living with me. I had owned a dekay's brown snake in Georgia last year for four months and thoroughly enjoyed it but I let it go before my move to SC. Thankfully I was working construction in a yard and found a beautiful and large (16 inches) female brown snake and a few weeks later in the same yard another female brown snake but she is much much smaller (6 inches). I currently have the larger brown in a twenty-five gallon tank, where she is very happy. I have the smaller brown snake in a five gallon tank and she is relatively happy as well. My question is will the larger one eat the small one if I put them in the same tank? I haven't read anything on the cannibalism of dekay's brown snakes, yet I know their close relatives the garter snake can be cannibalistic if they vary in size.

[slipknot711]

i keep a rather small dekay in with my big garters and they all do fine together. they should be fine, but with naything there is no gaurantee but you should be fine here is my little dekay next to Penny my eastern 1071810719

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Wow 16" dekay please post some pics of that monster! Welcome to the forums I'm from SC too! They should be fine together, but I bet if you caught a dekay that big this time of year she's probably about to pop with babies lol!

[slipknot711]

I WANT THE BABIES! they are the smallest lil snakes ever

[infernalis]

I WANT THE BABIES! they are the smallest lil snakes ever

A real challenge to feed neonate Storeria ;)

[Brettleland]

Oh wow, Ashley,that's encouraging, thanks. I just put them together. ;)

[Brettleland]

I took Lucy out to get an accurate measurement and she's in at 14.75 inches so my guestimation was a little off. I'm sorry about that, bluesirtalis! The little one is around 8 inches and I think I'm going to name her Slinky.

[Brettleland]

Lucy snapped at me twice today which is the most aggressive I've seen from her. Maybe she is pregnant? She is a lot thicker/wider than Slinky and the other dekay's brown I had before them, Brownie was his name... cute little guy grew a few inches with me... I miss him. It was Lucy's more aggressive and bold behavior that had me a little worried about putting her with Slinky.It's weird because Lucy acts a little bit more adventurous like a garter snake which is kinda cool because I've always enjoyed garters. I get earth worms and they'll dig and find them when they're hungry and the live feed aspect makes me a little nervous now that they're together. Lucy is just so intense compared to my little juvenile Slinky. I'll send some pics when I can get some cool shots.

[Saji]

Brown Snakes and Garters have been found in dens together in the wild. That doesnt mean to not be careful. Size matters in some situations:p

[slipknot711]

pictures would be great! how are they doing now?

[Brettleland]

They're doing great now. I think they're both happy. :) 10881108821088310884

[guidofatherof5]

Be very careful with that bedding(very sharp slivers) and feeding. If ingested it can cause many problems ( perforated stomach, bowel) with can lead to death.

[Herp Derp]

what and how much and how often do you feed them?

[guidofatherof5]

This just my opinion but:

Neonates - daily(small meals)
Yearlings - 3 times a week(no stuffing them)
Adults - Twice a week(good size meals)

[slipknot711]

wow thats a big girl!!!!! maybe babies soon? 10909

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Agreed! Babies soon!
wow thats a big girl!!!!! Maybe babies soon? 10909

[Mommy2many]

She is sooo cute!

[Brettleland]

So... I have a lot of babies... at least ten. I have no idea how I'm going to care for them! Do I let them go in the wild? How do I feed them all and find the right food? I have a lot of questions! haha

[guidofatherof5]

So... I have a lot of babies... at least ten. I have no idea how I'm going to care for them! Do I let them go in the wild? How do I feed them all and find the right food? I have a lot of questions! haha

I have found baby dekayis difficult to raise. My last attempt was meeting with failure as they just didn't want to start eating for me. I took them to the area their mother was from and released them. Within a few seconds I saw a number of them pulling small snails out of their shells and enjoying a good meal. Nature is amazing, I walked away with a good feeling.

[Brettleland]

Here is a pict. of some of them!11034

[guidofatherof5]

Such tiny little scrubs. Be sure they stay hydrated. Make a humid hide for them to go into. Use a ziplock container w/lid. Cut a hole in the side as a door. Wet paper towels works great. Change regularly as they use it as a bath room.

[Tora]

How'd your little scrubs do?

[guidofatherof5]

How'd your little scrubs do?

Some started eating but most didn't. It came time for me to make a decision on risking them dying in captivity or releasing them. As in most situations mother nature knows best. I released them, within seconds they found tiny snails and started eating. They are masters at pulling snails from the shell. I have a photo somewhere that shows the specialized teeth they use. I'll try to find it and post it up.