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You are not going to find any large snakes that will feed on anything other than small mammals, so if the reason you are displeased with garter snakes is their size, you probably just shouldn't get one. I mean, there ARE a few large snakes that prey on things other than small mammals, but those snakes usually dine upon other reptiles, and it would run you up a lot of money. If size doesn't bother you, there are plenty of other snakes to pick from.
Snakes of the genus Storeria (Brown and Red-Bellied Snakes) are EXTREMEMLY common, and they do just fine on a diet of earthworms and slugs. Earthworms are easy to stock up on (just go to a local park on a rainy night with a dirt-filled bucket and a flashlight, do this during the spring every time it rains and you will easily have enough left over for the winter), but slugs are not. They are common when they are out, but you are not going to be able to find slugs in any stores, whereas earthworms can be found in just about any local bait and tackle shop. Brown snakes average 10-12 inches, Red-Bellied snakes 8-10 inches. Keep them in a dry cage with SEVERAL hides and a small water dish. You can easily find them in just about any grassy, vacant lot (also in parks, cemeteries, and moist woods) under litter.
Snakes of the genus Diadophis (Ringnecked Snakes) are somewhat common where they occur, and in captivity they will eat earthworms and appropriately sized amphibians. Sometimes they are a bit stubborn and will refuse the worms a few meals until you can get it an amphibian. They also eat small reptiles and occasionally small rodents, but don't expect to ween it onto rodents easily. It's just not going to happen. During the winter time, you could feed it $3 green anoles from your local pet store. Take care not to rely to heavily on wild caught food or you will deplete your local ecosystem. There are several species of ringnecked snakes, ranging from 15 to 40 inches in length on average, usually on the lower end of the spectrum. Longer lengths have been recorded. They are found almost entirely in wooded areas, usually under stones or logs. Take special care not to overcollect. Limit yourself to one or two. Hopefully you live in an area where you CAN find them, because you are not going to find these on any breeder pages. Breeders tend to ignore species that feed heavily on invertebrates. You can keep them on newspaper, but you must remember to offer plenty of hides, as they are very secretive. A small water dish should be available.
Snakes of the genus Opheodrys (Green snakes) are not particularly rare or common where they occur, but they are one of the few invertebrate feeders that can be found commercially or from breeders. They eat mainly hard-bodies insects and spiders, crickets being a widely available (and CHEAP) part of their diet. I once heard a story of a green snake eating a centipede, but I wouldn't try it, as centipedes will bite the snake, and centipede venom can potentially be very dangerous to it. I hardly believe the story myself. Smooth Green snakes are usually around 15-20 inches, Rough Green snakes 30-40 inches. Keep their cages dry, Rough Greens need generous climbing space (as well as numerous branches), Smooth Greens do fine with just a few branches. Newspaper is fine as a substrate. A small water dish should be placed in the tank, or you could mist the cage once a week.
Snakes of the genus Carphophis (Worm Snakes) are not very common and not really commercially available, but they feed readily on earthworms and make decent captive from what I'm told. They average 9-11 inches. They need generous burrowing space, as well as a hide. Don't keep it on newspaper. Have a water dish available.
Snakes of the genus Nerodia (Water Snakes) are common and occasionally available commercially. They feed heavily on amphibians and fish, bait minnows/goldfish will be readily accepted. They often remain nervous and nippy in captivity, but some will calm down and allow itself to be handled. There are quite a few species, the smaller ones ranging from 18-30 inches, whereas larger ones can average 48-60 inches. Lengths of over 72 inches have been recorded in certain species. Provide a hide box for the snake to retreat into when you change it's water or newspaper and you won't get bitten (not very often, at least). Despite their natural behavior and habitat, keep the cage dry. Offer a large water dish, but don't fill it all the way. If you fill it all the way, the snake might soak himself in the dish and spill the water all over the place.
There are various other snakes in different parts of the country, I'm just talking about those that exist where I live. Other people from different parts of the country should be able to point out their smaller species and it's keeping, I suppose I could as well, but the hour is late and I tire. I'm definitely going to bed now. Stupid college crap to fill out and junk in the morning. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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