grass snakes?

Question
HI!!
Yesterday I adopted two snakes from my local SPCA,as they were
about to be put down.  I am told they are grass snakes, perhaps
a subspecies 'everglades'.  However, I can find no information on
such a subspecies, and any pictures I find on-line only vaguely
resemble my two specimens in terms of coloration and
markings.  Physically, they have the large eye and round pupil of
the typical grass snake, and the long slender body too.  
However, one of them is a kind of lilac colour, with some vivid
red showing, a yellow belly and two darker stripes running the
length of the body.  The second one is a greenish-yellow colour
with similar stripes.  Both are approximately two feet in length.  
These snakes were found seperately in people's gardens, and
were obviously kept as pets and released/escaped, as I live in
Ireland and we have no wild snakes left.  Could you please help
me identify my new pets (i'll upload photos if it helps) and
suggest the most appropriate conditions in which to keep them.  
At the moment I have them in a 3'x2' vivarium with sun lamp,
large water bowl and wood chips, but I'm making ready a much
larger enclosure for them.  They have been hiding in a box,
curled up together since i brought them home yesterday and i
fear they aren't as comfortable as they could be!  I would really
appreciate our advice, and all the information you can offer.

Thanks,
Lisa

Answer
Hi Lisa,


thanks for the question, and a Big thanks for adopting your snakes!!! the greenish yellow i believe a to be a typical garrter or grass, the other is a
"Thamnophis proximus orarius" in purple,or "western ribbon" they also have a blue morh in that species, they are from texas and new mexico, as for care echo earth block is good it is made of shredded compressed coconutone block expands to cover a 15 gallon tank also frog moss is good ,and calci sand is a good substrate, A MUST is the lighting get a full spetrum (uva,uvb)light bulb, provide a large enough water bowl for them to swim in or get in and soak, also good if you want to feed guppies or small gold fish, they will also eat crickets, locusts.try to keep the tank at about 80 degree's day time and ten degree's cooler. also make sure tank isnt placed in direct sunlight as the snakes will burn.

   well i hope this was helpful, let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

                            thanks again lisa
                                 tommy