Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just bought a snake for the first time and something doesnt seem right. ive had if for a few days and it will not come out of its hiding spot. he is not eating with the exception of one fish that i kinda threw onto his body. i just bought another snake to give it company and the other seems to be doing fine, its exploring, eating, basking, etc. should i return the snake or just wait it out. could it be sick. any info would help

Sounds like a normal garter. It is probably stressed. Seperate the 2 snakes...that will not help. In fact I do not know why you bought a second. Snakes do not need other snakes to live and other snakes will actually make some snakes more stressed than before. 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

thank you very much for the info. I will seperate the two. however, the reason I bought the second snake is because they were living together at the petshop I got them from

Sounds like a pet store with more animals than available cages. That's more likely to make them experts at killing snakes than experts at keeping snakes.

I'd either separate the two snakes or return the poor feeder. My $.02.

Paul Hollander

Sounds like a typical reaction from a Garter snake thought they vary quite a bit. I'd just give it some time. It may prefer to eat in privacy. You can keep 2 Garters together without problem but be careful feeding them. I'd separate them to feed them as a dominant snake may decide to eat the smaller. Garters generally identify prey by scent and will attempt to eat anything that smells like food, including their keeper’s fingers.

Good luck.