If he will eat for you, try it. I caught one before my BF nearly stepped on it last spring. It was a little noodle, about 6 inches long too! I am so surprised he was hanging out in the winter. We ended up letting him go after 2 days, he did not eat a pinky for us, as they do eat lizards and worms and small frogs when young. You do not want to do that for this guy though!