Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello. I just adopted my second garter snake last week.. A VERY LARGE Oregon Red-sided garter..A biologist friend of mine thought he looked about 10 years of age. From the size of this snake, I'd bet he was sucking down tons of bullfrog tads and oregon newts(the only snake that can eat them).

This animal was caught about a year ago and placed into a classroom full of kids..he was given up because he would get very nervous and poop all over the kids everytime he was picked up(I would too if I had to deal with kids all day long). He was fed a constant diet of goldfish and nightcrawlers. I have since cut out all goldfish and have only offered the worms.

I need to know what kind of diet this snake SHOULD be getting. What kind of worm/fish ratio should it be getting?? What other foods can I start to offer?? I do plan on offering pinkies as soon as my mice drop some. HOW do I gut load the worms?? What if any toxins should I be aware of with nightcrawlers from baitshops?? Kind of hard to find organic slugs and worms(i've looked)..

Any suggestions??

Billie

Don't make it hard on yourself.

Simple as that... Offer it like 2 worms a meal... Condition the snake to take them from your fingers or from tongs. After like 3 meals... Rub a worm on a pinky and offer that. It should take.
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Mike
KingPin Reptiles Inc.
www.freewebs.com/mikesnake
www.captivebredforum.com

If it is as large as you imply it is probably too large for pinkies. My adults are feeding on f/t weans, the size before adult mice. I disagree with feeding it from your hand as the snake can become conditioned to associate your hand with food and bite constantly. Worms are probably the least desirable diet. They are messy, low on nutrition, and their use should incorporate a calcium supplement. Feed it the largest size thawed mouse you feel it can comfortably handle. If the snake refuses then scent the mouse with fish. It should not be too long before it is feeding regularly on unscented mice.
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Randy Hallman