First time snake owner...

[guidofatherof5]

Good looking little snake.

[gregmonsta]

Greetings

[ConcinusMan]

Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis, also known as the eastern garter snake.

Definitely. At the time I was writing my last post, the pic wasn't available. You posted the pic while I was writing it.

I'm pretty sure that snake ended up in your basement because he was already prepared to brumate. They often get in and under house foundations to brumate. He probably found a crack or gap somewhere and ended up inside the basement. Wouldn't surprise me if you had a whole bunch of them using your house (or at least the foundation) as a den.

Give him at least 13 hours of warmth (75-88) and daylight and keep his temperature from falling below 65 at night. After a while of doing this, he'll probably snap out of it and start eating. It could take a few weeks. In the mean time give him plenty of cover and/or plants (fake is preferable) and don't mess with him too much. He's more likely to eat if he feels safe, comfortable and secure.

[Stefan-A]

Definitely. At the time I was writing my last post, the pic wasn't available. You posted the pic while I was writing it.

I know. These things happen.

[ConcinusMan]

The snake looks to be very healthy and has good body mass. Don't worry too much about him starving. He/she could go weeks without food easily and without harm.

[EasternGirl]

Here are a couple of better pics of my little guy....

Thanks for all the posts! I did think that he was probably an Eastern Garter....I am in Newark, Delaware. So earthworms are the best bet, then?

[EasternGirl]

His mother...who is quite large...lives under our steps outside. I agree there are most likely many snakes in our crawl space under the house, as they often come into our basement. In the past I have taken them to a snake rescue...but decided to try to have this little guy as a pet.