Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just wondering if anyone has experience feeding their gray-bands garter snakes? I know they're cannibalistic being kingsnakes, but not so much as other kingsnakes...Any thoughts?

Max
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Snakes to the Max

1.2 Variable Kingsnakes
1.1 Grayband x Ruthveni
0.1 Western Massasauga (WC)
1.1 Jungle Carpet Pythons
1.1 Pastel Red-tail Boas
1.0 Lavender Motley Cornsnake
4.3 Hatchling Variable Kingsnakes
0.2 Hatchling Grayband x Ruthveni Kingsnakes
0.0.2 Baby Western Massasaugas (big surprise!)
1.1 Black Milksnakes
2.4 Honduran Milksnakes
1.3 Cornsnakes

Why would you want to? I would stick with pinkies, fuzzies, and mice.

Wayne

For one, it could be another option for stubborn eaters...Someone asked me this question, so I just wanted an answer from someone who might have had an experience with feeding garter snakes...
-----
Snakes to the Max

1.2 Variable Kingsnakes
1.1 Grayband x Ruthveni
0.1 Western Massasauga (WC)
1.1 Jungle Carpet Pythons
1.1 Pastel Red-tail Boas
1.0 Lavender Motley Cornsnake
4.3 Hatchling Variable Kingsnakes
0.2 Hatchling Grayband x Ruthveni Kingsnakes
0.0.2 Baby Western Massasaugas (big surprise!)
1.1 Black Milksnakes
2.4 Honduran Milksnakes
1.3 Cornsnakes

It could be done I suppose, although I have never had to do this. I would suggest scenting with a canyon lizard, or some type of lizard that you have access to.

Wayne

I seem to remember reading (I think on this forum) that some GBKs will eagerly eat garters that share their range but avoid many other snakes, including non-native garters.

That being said, I'd try everything possible to avoid using garters as food items.

A few considerations against using garters as food items:
1) costs and availability
2) parasite risk (although I personally don't have imperical data to support this, and could be wrong)
3) I really like garter snakes!