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How to take care/feed a Texas Brown snake

22 15:38:00

Question
Hi Jennifer,

My husband brought home a Texas Brown snake that was found in a coworker's backyard by a creek. We have had it a couple months. At first it would it earthworms every few days, but recently it won't eat. Spot is kept in our daughter's bedroom in an aquarium with a light during the day and a black light at night. We usually take him out and put him in another container that has a worm or two in it and he would gobble them up. He did recently shed about 10 days ago. He is getting thinner and we are getting worried. We really appreciate any help/advice.

Thanks,

Teri  

Answer
Hi Teri
Texas Brown Snakes, first of all, are not very desireable pets. They often take a while to begin eating (although your's had been eating), and do not adjust well to being handled, often musking on the the holders hands. I would suggest trying slugs and snails.  They actually love to eat those as much as earthworms. You might also want to cut back on the daytime light to keep the humidity/moistness up in his cage.  (They spend alot of time burrowed in the wild, searching for prey such as worms and slugs.) The general temperature ranges are variable, ranging anywhere from the low 70's to the high 90's, being native to Texas. They are very hardy snakes, and can live long lives if cared for properly. The humidity should be kept at a moderate level, maybe 30-60%. There is also the chance of him having intestinal parasites since he was wild caught. If he doesn't eat within the next couple of weeks I would suggest letting him go back into the wild. Hope all this helped.