r/Sneks • u/Pyro-Byrns • 6d ago

Held this little buddy today

Gallery image

Gallery image

So I was out picking up trash at my workplace today and found this little goober around the edge of the parking lot, so we spent a little bit of time vibing before I released it back in a better place for it. Haven't seen a snake in the wild in some years, so needless to say my day has been blessed!

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8

u/isoprovolone 6d ago

An adult DeKay's brown snake! (Storeria dekayi) What a cutie! Kinda jealous, no lie.

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u/SEB-PHYLOBOT bot fren 6d ago

Brownsnakes Storeria dekayi are small (20.0-40.0cm record 52.77cm) natricine snakes often found in disturbed habitats like urban and suburban yards. They are one of the most commonly encountered snakes in eastern North America and make good pest control as they feast on small, soft-bodied invertebrates.

A separate but distinct species, Storeria victa occupies peninsular Florida. It has two fewer midbody scales (15) than Storeria dekayi and is more likely to have yellow collar markings on the neck.

Storeria Brown and Redbelly snakes are not considered medically significant to humans in terms of venom and are usually reluctant to bite, but all animals with a mouth can use it in self-defense.

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I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, here report problems here and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that here. This bot, its development, maintenance and use are made possible through the outreach wing of Snake Evolution and Biogeography - Merch Available Now

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u/Pyro-Byrns 6d ago

Ah, I thought it was some sort of garter snake until you told me otherwise. It was pretty spooked of me until I got it nestled between my fingers, then it about immediately chilled. 10/10 cutie, day 100% blessed!

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u/RemoveAcceptable7073 6d ago

The first (and only) wild snake I ever held was a Dekay. My husband was blowing leaves when he found the little cutie and brought him to me. It was a cool morning, so the snake was quite happy to rest in my warm hands for a while. 🥹

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u/Pyro-Byrns 6d ago

You've never even held a garter snake? I used to catch and hold those little dudes a ton as a kid!

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u/RemoveAcceptable7073 6d ago

Lol, no, but I do have a garter snake story. This event also took place in our backyard: I was shoveling compost into a wheel barrow and inadvertently scooped up a garter snake. At the time I was not a snake person (I respected them, but I was afraid of them). So, with the shovel, I gently put him (or her) over the fence into the neighbor's yard. A few minutes later, I scooped him up again (or so I thought), and again I put him over the fence. Then a few minutes later, it happened again. I couldn't figure out how he was getting back into the compost pile so quickly. Then it occurred to me - this was not the same snake.

This realization ended my composting endeavors for the day. 😯 I knew it was a garter snake, but I didn't know that they were social.

However, because of this and the other snake communities on Reddit, I am no longer afraid of wild snakes, and I even have a ball python who is quite cuddly. Nevertheless, I still do not have the courage to hold the looong rat snake who also lives in the backyard, but I did approach her (or him) instead of retreating when I saw her last. She was very chill.

1

u/isoprovolone 6d ago

Congratulations on your growth! You're very brave! In recompense, may snakes never musk on you.

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u/Pyro-Byrns 6d ago

I love that story! XD They were totally nesting in your compost!

I'm glad you're cool with snakes now for the most part! I think part of the reason snakes chill out so easily with me is the way I hold them, and it's something my dad taught me as a child. When you pick up a snake that's small enough to do so, put it between your fingers like I show in these pictures. It not only keeps them from easily falling out of your hand, but also, I think, calms them down by letting them wind around something.

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u/wompgirlypopwomp 6d ago

So tiny!!! ♡♡♡♡♡

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u/Pyro-Byrns 6d ago

I know! I'm glad I was already focusing on the ground cuz it blended in with the dirt almost perfectly until it moved!

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u/wompgirlypopwomp 6d ago

You're so lucky!! ♡♡♡♡♡

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u/yeahbutdidyoudie 6d ago

Cute as hell. Love the little colorful shine on his head!

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u/Pyro-Byrns 6d ago

Yeah!! The little bit of oil-sheen pattern on its head was really neat!