Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I got a garter snake last week. At first i couldnt get him to eat (because he didn't like crickets) so i bagan to feed him guppies from the store. The first day he ate 2 and the second day he ate 5 and today he ate 3.... Am I feeding him too much because if he eats like this regularly i might have to get a job =D
He is about 10-12" long and i beleive its an eastern garter
Please get back to me
Thank you

It depends how big the guppies are. If they are big enough to make a small lump in him going down, then 1 or 2 might be fine.
Especially since you feed him each day. I found a local bait store that sells small minnows by the dozen, and that was much cheaper. Now one of my little ones eats pinky mice. Glad that he is eating. Good luck. Duffy

ok thanks ill have to feed him gupies that are a little bigger then because they leave no lump. Mabey thats why hes eating so much, because im feeding him guppies that are too small. Its hard to find information that you can trust on the internet, I even found a site that said to feed garters vegies...

thanks for your help!

It's OK to feed several smaller fish. But if the fish is big enough to leave a small lump, then one or two will be fine.
One larger one will often be less expensive. Also, check into the bait store idea. The one I go to sells a dozen small minnows for 75 cents, and they usually give you at least two dozen. Good luck. Duffy

Thanks for the info I will try to see if there are any pet stores with minnows, but I have heard that minnows have high vitimin deficincy and are bad for younger snakes... What could i do about that (may it be true).. could i give him a vitamin suppliment of some sort?

Im pretty new towards snakes so any info would be greatly appreciated.. Ive had a few in the past but they have had their own problems (ex my blue racer swollowed a large rock and died [vet said it would come back up])

thanks

~Tobbz

I'd like to see that website! All snakes, including garters, are carnivores. I am not aware of any exceptions to this.
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MichaelB

Sorry i don't have the site I just came across it when i was looking for info.. If I come across it again ill post it though.

~Tobbz

Erpeton tentaculum is said to eat certain aquatic plants. Andy
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Andy Maddox
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Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

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Hello, I have a variety of different Garters. If you feed him fish do so 2 to 3 times a week. Let him have his fill. You can also feed him earthworms or nightcrawlers (be careful of catching them if you have chemicals in your yard). "Redwigglers" are supposed to be bitter and somewhat toxic so most keepers recomend not useing them. Most Garters will also eat mice and yours may be big enough for pinkies. They may have to be scented at first however (just rub it on a goldfish). If you feed it pinkies once a week is fine. Garters also eat amphibians though this is usually impractical. Amphibians also carry parasites. Fish may also carry parasites but thawed frozen food should alleviate any worries. THe vitamin deficiancy (Thamine) caused by fish is generally associated with certain oily fishes, I have never heard of guppies or minnows implicated in this problem. Veggies are definatly not on the diet. I have heard of Garter snakes eating fish flavored cat food, but I have no experience with this nor do I have any knowlege of the nutritional issues involved. I hope this helps.

Good luck and enjoy your pet.

Thank you very much
This info has helped alot.. Thanks for all the info everyone has given me.

Tobbz

Well i got a garter and i feed him mondays wensday and fridays i feed mine small goldfish and minnows and i only feed him 1 for the day. Or you could put 5 goldfish in the bowl every week. Do not feed anything bigger than its head.