Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I had four garter snakes born a few days ago and i don't know how to feed them. I put some minnows in their water bowl and today after work 3 of the 4 minnows were gone (leaving the bigger minnow swimming in there). I was wondering if there was an easier, more definate way to feeding them. I'm used to hand feeding cornsnakes and I always know thay eat cuz they do it in my hands. I also have a can of red worms that are thin enough for the neonates to eat but too long for them. I tried cutting them up and dropping them in front of the babies but they didn't seem interested. I'd really appreciate any help in this matter my little worm sized baies are depending on you .

Putting the guppies and minnows in the water dish is the best way. red worms aren't good for garters. I have read they are toxic..... Small worms are ok, pieces of big night crawlers work also. Leaving the feeder fish in the water dish is the best method. If you are concerned one isn't feeding, put them in separate tanks to monitor their feeding.

If you where looking for something simple and cheaper, I'd feed them cut up peices of night crawlers, or baby, newly hatched toads. (I find lots of those here..garters love them)
You could also buy pinkys and cut them up into eatable peices and scent them with the fish. This way is more nutritional and alows the snake to grow heathlier. This way has less parasites and as I said, heathier. One wrong batch of guppies can affect the snakes when they get older (lung worms, ect..)

Hope this helps,

Crysta