Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I feel as though my western ribbon can't live on Rosy Reds alone, especially after reading up on potential vitamin deficiencies...
What is the best diet for my snake? And where does one acquire earthworms that are clean and good for snakes (coming from someone who lives in Manhattan, so the backyark is out!
Also, she's still kind of small so I don't think she would be able to get a pinky down, but when would a good time be to introduce those things?

Any insight is appreciated!

Thanks, C.

If you have a Western Ribbon and not an Eastern you may have a tough time getting it to eat earthworms, as they are not a part of their natural diet. However, ribbons often will decide whether to consume a food item or not by scent, and I have gotten my Western Ribbon to eat an earthworm after I wiped off the slime, then rubbed the worm on a fish to get the scent. This may seem arduous, but earthworms are generally cheaper than fish. Also, when fed a steady diet of fish, ribbons can become B1 deficient, so supplements are necessary. There are "worm breeders" throughout the U.S. that can ship large numbers of earthworms for good prices, but I would suggest making sure it will in fact eat scented worms first (which does not really solve your problem, I guess)

I have had western ribbons take worms, both red wigglers and nightcrawlers. Andy
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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains