You do not need UV lamps or heat lamps. They are a northern-temperate snake that does not need any special apparatus to keep. However, they are difficult to maintain in captivity as they primarily eat slugs, perhaps with an occasional slender salamander (Batrachoseps). I've tried before to keep them in captivity but it's just not woth it. I suggest you admire them for a day or two then release them where they were found. A gopher or king snake, which your kids will probably eventually turn up, will make a much better pet (if you want to keep a snake as a pet).

Cheers-

Eric

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• Help to identify snakes that kids caught - becki71, Sun Mar 13 13:09:33 2005
• RE: Help to identify snakes that kids caught - wayne13114, Sun Mar 13 13:31:13 2005
• RE: Help to identify snakes that kids caught - becki71, Sun Mar 13 13:44:07 2005
• RE: Help to identify snakes that kids caught - guttersnacks, Sun Mar 13 15:51:28 2005
• Sharp-tailed snakes - becki71, Sun Mar 13 17:25:33 2005
• RE: Sharp-tailed snakes - Greg Longhurst, Sun Mar 13 17:46:28 2005
• Correct, but- - arizonaeric, Sun Mar 13 19:09:06 2005
• RE: Correct, but- - becki71, Sun Mar 13 23:08:44 2005
• Sharp tailed snake (Contia tenuis ) N/P - Hotshot, Mon Mar 14 10:26:20 2005