What To Feed Dekay’s Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi), also known as the brown snake or Dekay’s snake, is a non-venomous species of snake native to North America. These snakes are popular in the pet trade and are also commonly found in the wild, especially in suburban and rural areas. To keep a Dekay’s Brown Snake healthy in captivity, understanding its diet is crucial. This article covers essential diet tips, including food choices, feeding schedules, and common dietary mistakes to avoid, helping you provide the best care for your pet snake.
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Understanding The Natural Diet Of Dekay’s Brown Snake
Dekay’s Brown Snakes are insectivores, meaning their primary diet consists of insects and small invertebrates. In the wild, they typically feed on earthworms, slugs, and small insects such as beetles and ants. Understanding their natural diet will help you replicate their feeding habits in captivity.
Common Prey in the Wild
- Earthworms: A significant portion of their diet in the wild, especially in moist environments where worms are abundant.
- Slugs and Snails: They are known to hunt and consume these slimy invertebrates.
- Insects: Ants, beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars are common prey.
- Other Small Invertebrates: Occasionally, Dekay’s Brown Snake may feed on small arthropods like spiders.
By mimicking these natural prey items, you can ensure that your pet Dekay’s Brown Snake receives a balanced diet that satisfies its nutritional needs.
Feeding A Pet Dekay’s Brown Snake
While your pet Dekay’s Brown Snake’s diet may differ slightly from the wild, it’s important to provide them with appropriate and nutritious food. Below are the primary food options suitable for these snakes when kept in captivity.
Earthworms
Earthworms are one of the best food choices for your Dekay’s Brown Snake. They are high in moisture, which helps hydrate your snake, and rich in essential nutrients. Earthworms also mimic the snake’s natural food source, providing the right balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. You can find earthworms at most pet stores or in your own backyard (ensuring they are pesticide-free).
Small Insects
Insects such as crickets, mealworms, and roaches are excellent food sources for Dekay’s Brown Snakes. These insects can provide the snake with the necessary protein and fats. It’s essential to dust these insects with a calcium supplement to help prevent any nutritional deficiencies, particularly in growing snakes.
Best Insects for Dekay’s Brown Snake:
- Crickets
- Mealworms
- Dubia roaches
- Waxworms (occasionally, as a treat)
Slugs and Snails
If you can find slugs or snails, these make a nutritious and natural food option for your snake. Slugs and snails are rich in moisture and are typically easy for the snake to digest. You can either find them in your garden or buy them from pet stores that specialize in exotic foods.
Frogs and Small Vertebrates
Though not a primary food source, small amphibians, such as tiny frogs, can be an occasional treat for a Dekay’s Brown Snake. In the wild, these snakes may occasionally consume small vertebrates, so offering them as a variety once in a while can help mimic their natural hunting behavior.
Pre-killed or Frozen Food
For convenience, some owners prefer to feed their snakes pre-killed or frozen food. This is a safe option to avoid the risk of injury to your snake during live feeding. Pre-killed or frozen food like worms, insects, or small rodents can be thawed and offered as a part of their diet. Ensure the food is the appropriate size for your snake to handle.
How Often Should You Feed Your Dekay’s Brown Snake?
Feeding frequency for a Dekay’s Brown Snake depends on its age and size. Younger snakes typically require more frequent meals than adult snakes.
For Juvenile Dekay’s Brown Snakes:
- Frequency: Feed 2 to 3 times per week.
- Portion Size: Offer small insects like crickets or earthworms, ensuring the meal is no larger than the snake’s midsection.
For Adult Dekay’s Brown Snakes:
- Frequency: Feed once a week or once every 10 days.
- Portion Size: Larger insects, earthworms, and occasionally small frogs or pre-killed food can be offered.
Overfeeding or underfeeding your snake can lead to health issues, so it’s essential to provide meals in moderation. Always ensure the snake’s meal is appropriately sized, as meals too large can cause discomfort and possible regurgitation.
Key Nutritional Considerations
While the variety of foods mentioned above will provide your Dekay’s Brown Snake with a healthy diet, there are a few additional nutritional factors to consider:
Calcium and Vitamin D3
Dekay’s Brown Snakes require calcium and vitamin D3 to maintain strong bones and avoid metabolic bone disease. You can dust insects with a calcium supplement (without vitamin D3) to ensure your snake receives the proper balance. If you’re offering vertebrates as part of the diet, they usually provide enough calcium.
Hydration
Snakes, including Dekay’s Brown Snakes, require access to fresh water at all times. While their diet provides some moisture, it’s important to offer a shallow water dish for your snake to drink from and soak in. This helps in hydration and also aids in the snake’s shedding process.
Variety
A varied diet will help ensure that your snake gets a broad spectrum of nutrients. Avoid offering only one type of food for extended periods. By varying their diet, you can mimic natural feeding habits and reduce the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
Common Feeding Mistakes To Avoid
While feeding a Dekay’s Brown Snake might seem straightforward, several common mistakes can lead to health issues. Avoid the following:
Feeding Too Large of Prey
Feeding prey items that are too large can cause digestive problems, regurgitation, or even internal injury. Always choose prey that is no larger than the width of your snake’s midsection.
Live Feeding
While some owners opt to feed their snakes live prey, it’s important to remember that live food, such as insects or small vertebrates, can potentially injure your snake. Always supervise live feedings, or consider feeding pre-killed or frozen food instead.
Inconsistent Feeding Schedules
Irregular feeding schedules can confuse your snake and impact its health. Stick to a consistent feeding routine and avoid overfeeding.
Offering Inappropriate Food
While earthworms and insects are ideal, avoid feeding your snake non-food items like pet store rodents or other creatures that could carry parasites. Make sure the food is appropriate for the snake’s diet and size.
Conclusion
Feeding a Dekay’s Brown Snake is an essential part of its care, and understanding the types of foods it requires can ensure a long, healthy life. Focus on providing a variety of natural foods, such as earthworms, small insects, and the occasional slugs and snails. Always be mindful of portion sizes, feeding frequency, and hydration. If you’re unsure about your snake’s diet or feeding schedule, consult a veterinarian or reptile expert for guidance. By following these essential diet tips, you’ll be able to give your pet Dekay’s Brown Snake the best care possible.
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FAQs
What is the best food for a Dekay’s Brown Snake?
The best food for a Dekay’s Brown Snake includes earthworms, small insects like crickets and mealworms, slugs, and snails. Occasionally, small amphibians like frogs can be offered.
How often should I feed my Dekay’s Brown Snake?
Juvenile Dekay’s Brown Snakes should be fed 2-3 times per week, while adults can be fed once a week or every 10 days.
Can I feed my Dekay’s Brown Snake live food?
While it is possible to feed live food, it’s often safer to feed pre-killed or frozen food to avoid potential injury to your snake. If you do feed live prey, supervise the feeding.
Should I dust my snake’s food with supplements?
Yes, you should dust insects with a calcium supplement to prevent deficiencies, especially for young snakes. Ensure you use a supplement without vitamin D3 unless advised by a veterinarian.
Can I feed my Dekay’s Brown Snake only earthworms?
No, while earthworms are a great food option, it’s important to offer variety in your snake’s diet. Include small insects, slugs, and occasionally small frogs to mimic their natural food sources.
