What Are They?

[Coast Ranger]

We pulled up a stump and out popped a snake. Then we noticed a bunch of eggs. I didn't know what to do with them, but didn't want to just pitch them in the woods. Then I figured it would be cool to hatch them out. Four or five day later I had a dozen baby snakes, and a couple of questions.

1. What are they? A couple of clues might help. The nest was found in north coastal South Carolina. It was about 5 miles from the coast. The nest was about 30 feet from a pond. They look exactly like the mother. She was about 18 to 20 inches long.

2. What do they eat? BTW, that's how I found this site. I tried wiggly worms, cut up night crawlers, large meal worms and small crickets. I haven't seen them eat anything yet. It's been about 18 days since they hatched.

I'll turn them loose soon, but wanted to see them eat before I did. Any thoughts?

Here's a few shots. Thanks, CR