Hello! I'm new here!

[SouthernGirl]

Hi! I just wanted to let you know how helpful your website has been to me! I found what I think is a DeKay's snake in my yard over the weekend and decided to keep it as a pet. So far, he/she has eaten a slug and half a earthworm. It is so cute. Very shy, but maybe it will come around soon. We named him Merlin. I attached some pictures! I am using organic soil from Lowes because I plan to slowly turn his aquarium into a terrarium. I have been feeding him every second day. Is that correct? I am gathering up the courage to try to really get him out and hold him this weekend. I am nervous! I had a ball python when I was in college. For some reason "wild" snakes seem much more intimidating than ones you get in the pet store.

[guidofatherof5]

Welcome. Awesome little Brown. I'll link you to the forum care sheet. Care for Storeria dekayi is very similar to garter snakes. I do believe they are a more cold species and doesn't require the heat that a lot of garters like. Hoping our resident expert on dekayi will chime in. That would be you infernalis(Wayne).

Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet

[SouthernGirl]

Thank you so much! I have a undermount cabinet light that shines into his enclosure in the evening but no heat other than that. It ranges from 72-76 right now. He seems so spastic. Will he ever get used to me? I noticed he comes out of hiding in the early morning and evening right before dark. He is next to a window that I keep open so he can see day/night. He will do a loop or two around his aquarium and go back under his rock. I am attaching a picture of him and our usual interaction. He and I have a staredown. Haha... Would trying to hold him make him feel more comfortable with me or should I hold off?

[SouthernGirl]

I dont know how to make my pictures un-sideways

[guidofatherof5]

I dont know how to make my pictures un-sideways

If you are working from a Windows machine you should be able to open the photo in the default photo program and rotate it. Then you can save it and upload it to the page.

[Albert Clark]

Welcome to garter snake country!