Local Snake needing ID

[lizardminion]

A mutual friend of mine found this snake somewhere around his home and plans on keeping it. I plan on possibly taking it off his hands or having him release it. Or providing him of knowledge to its proper care.
Can anyone ID the species?

Found in Central Texas. (Bexar County, Near San Antonio)

 

[zonbonzovi]

Texas is larger than many countries and contains a lot of fauna. Could you at least provide a photo?

 

[pitbulllady]

There is no picture, only that red "X" in a box. Please either provide a valid link to a photo or include the photo as an attachment with the message. You'll have a lot greater chance of someone here being able to make a positive ID with a photo.

pitbulllady

 

[Galapoheros]

Going by the description, haha, I have a gut feeling that it will be an emory's rat snake, let's seeeeee

 

[lizardminion]

Woops!

Sorry guys, I re-uploaded the image. It should work now.
Some more info- he says he it's about 6 in to a foot long, somewhere around there. It's not a constrictor; it feeds on invertebrates, which I'm assuming means it's also rear fanged venomous.

 

[Frank S]

It is a brown snake. AKA, Dekay snake. That is about full grown.
Frank

 

[Shrike]

It is a brown snake. AKA, Dekay snake. That is about full grown.
Frank

Yes, it's Storeria dekayi. This is a very wide spread species. I'm not familiar at all with the various subspecies. This is a fossorial species. They feed on slugs, earthworms, etc.

Personally, I'd release the snake where it was found. I live in the DC area and there is an amazing diversity of herp species (Storeria dekayi being one of them) to be found here, even in urban and suburban areas. I usually catch, identify and release herps because I like being able to appreciate them in the "wild," right where I live. Just my two cents.

 

[neubii18]

I agree with releasing it as most snakes that feed on inverts generally are very shy eaters and do not do well at all in captivity. I tried to keep a Western Ring Neck but it wouldn't eat at all and always burrowed so I just let it go. Now if you could find a rat snake, THAT would be an animal worth keeping imho.

 

[Malhavoc's]

the deckays up here dont make bad pets, they will eat out of hand and are what I refer to as "creepazoids" they watch me wherever I go about the room, constantly, very alert snakes, but the first few meals is tricky, And honestly 9/10 times mine are release anyways as they are found in construction sites where I work and are brought home for relocation.