Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My mom just called me because she found a Brown/Dekay snake while hiking. Apparently she destroyed the habitat the snake was in by accident, so she didn't feel comforatble leaving it there.

Anyway, since she was worried that it would freeze she brought it, and what was left of the decaying log, home. I told her the best thing was to just go back to where she found it and just put it under some bark/old logs. She didn't want to do this, I guess because it's too far away. So, I told her to put it with the remains of the log in part of her compost pile, as I'd heard that compost piles were good for these exact situations.

Should it be okay?

There are a lot of variables here. Generally it is frowned upon to release an individual other than were it was collected or outside of known habitat. If the specie in question occurs in your mothers area then it should not be a problem letting it go in the compost pile. Because of the simple fact that she collected it after destroying its hide shows that she cares for the snakes well being so the best bet is to release it exactly or in the same area it was collected. For future reference it is generally find to leave the snake alone should this happen again. There are variables to that to but not knowing the conditions its had to say weather what was done is right or wrong, The fact that she was hiking though tells me the weather was satisfactory therefore the best thing is to just let it crawl away. I will find another hide. To make a long story short its best if she takes it back and releases it were she collected it.
My reptile collection and research

Well, there was only a bit of snow on the ground at the time, but the temp was only slightly above freezing. She thought it would freeze before it could find a suitable place to hide, which is why she brought it home.

Hopefully the snake does okay where it's at, as she already let it go on at the compost pile (not sure if she could find it to return it to where it was originally found). Oh, and there are brown snakes where she lives.

While others might argue I see no problem with letting the individual go were the specie occurs. Just keep in mind for future reference its best to leave it there. If there is a fear of preditation or any harm to the individual you/she can always put any number of things such as wood or anything in the area over the snake to give it better chances. Were about was the snake collected? City? State?
My reptile collection and research

It was found in Ohio, somewhere near Peninsula (Summit County). Mom lives on the border of Akron and Copley.

I dont have my field guide handy right now but I believe that is all within the indeviduals home range so you should be fine
My reptile collection and research