Brown snakes can live in almost any substrate. i have seen an 80/20 soil/sand mix working well if you like the more natural look. This allows these snakes to burrow as they would naturally. You may wish to use peat moss or leaves to simulate the forest floor. Provide a small dish for water, and you may wish to mist the cage on occasion. id like to see a picture of yours. sorry i do not know much about the penny thing. dekays like worms too! and as far as the babies they are soooo tiny. i know someone on here has kept and bred them before so im sure others will chime in. dekay.jpg