found a little grass snake

[fishwithoutabik]

Ok so at work today I found a nifty little grey snake on the playground. It's only about 9 inches long but so adorable. I work at a daycare so the owners (non snake loving ppl) wanted me to kill it, so I decided to bring it home. However, it's pretty small, I have no idea what kinda thing such a small snake would eat. Any suggestions?

 

[JohnEDove]

I'd say release it near where you found it. As for what it may eat, that depends on the species but it would be best for the snake if you just let it go.

 

[fishwithoutabik]

Well, it occurred to me that this is a worthless question without some kind of a picture, so here it is. It also has some kind of injury.

 

[harveythefly]

looks like a Western Smooth Earth Snake to me...and if it is i'd say release it because earth snakes are really tough to keep in captivity...they mostly eat earthworms and slugs in the wild...

i did try to keep one once and feed it on nightcrawlers but it didn't work...i ended up letting it go after about 2 weeks of trying different foods from the afore said nightcrawlers to grubs and crickets...it kind of sucks too because i really think they're very cool little snakes...even my mom and sister who are terrified of snakes said the one i had was really cute hehe

if you have a garden or a spot close by with loose dirt and stones for it to hide under i'd say let it go closer to your house to avoid any further contact with the mean daycare owners...it'll be happier and safer there anyway

hope this helps
Harvey

 

[JohnEDove]

I'd have to agree, it looks like a Western Earth snake (Virginia valeriae elegans) to me as well and the best advice for the snake’s sake is to release it near the point of capture so that it is still within its recognized territorial range.
The injury looks as though it has already started healing and should prove no problem for the snake under normal circumstances. You would be surprised the injuries snakes survive in the wild.

 

[fishwithoutabik]

thanks all! He is pretty neat. The kids and I can go release him today.