Found a baby and now what?

[Eloise]

Two days ago I found a baby garter snake in the school parking lot. I didn't think it was a good place for many reasons 1 being the amount of cars there due to parent teacher conferences. Now what should I do? My son is reluctant to let it go. Local pet shop said I should let it go. Thought my backyard would be ok but no natural water. Although I have seen a big one dead there that a car hit. Will it be able to get into hibernation in northeast pa in time? Thanks for any help in guiding me.

[guidofatherof5]

A photo would be great. Looks like PA has 2 garters. Thamnophis sirtalis - Eastern Garter Snake and Shorthead Garter - Thamnophis brachystoma. Identification is important as I believe brachytstoma is protected.

[Eloise]

i have tried to send photo but im not sure it is working

[guidofatherof5]

You don't have 5 posts in yet so photo upload may not be available yet. I'll message you my email. Send me the photo/s and I'll post them for you.

[Eloise]

ok thanks

[guidofatherof5]

A picture is worth a thousand words or in this case 2 words Storeria dekayi - Brown snake. Not a garter but still very welcome on the page. These guys love to eat slugs, snails and small earthworms. They usually don't require any additional heat. They are a shy snake but will warm up to humans after a while. Give a good water dish and plenty of places for them to hide. My guess is if you go find a slug and offer it up at the end if a small stick it will be gone.

Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi) | Amphibians and Reptiles of Iowa

[Eloise]

thanks, i sent two more from tonight as well. i know the little container i picked up is too small. what would be in the baby's best interest. release or overwintering with me? right now it is raining and 52. i did buy nightcrawlers from the store.

[guidofatherof5]

Releasing in the same area lets mother nature take over. Just a roll of the dice there but that's nature. Keeping certainly affords the snake a good place to be, as long as she's/he's eating. I must caution you about these snakes. They will wrap themselves around your heart, releasing in the Spring may be difficult.

[Eloise]

My son is already hooked I think. And I think I am a bit crazy but some people think that anyway, lol. I do an ok job as an owner, my 2 fish i have had about 18 years and the box turtle 31 years, dogs, cats most into their teens and birds to their normal or past. I never saw myself as a snake person but i never saw one before that i thought needed to be moved from a bad spot. I dont think i will be able to find a slug crazy enough to be out there tonight.

[guidofatherof5]

They will be under leaves, logs, boards. You can put out some boards and collect them in the daylight.