Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What does everyone feed their garters? I use feeder fish and worms every now and then.

I feed mine goldfish, rosies, worms, and when they are big enough, I start them on pinkie mice

I have had one before and I just got another one! I feed mine fish, worms, an occasional mouse, and somtimes toads(if I can find them) he really likes the fish the most though! it is fun to watch them "go fishin"!

From my research I have been led to believe that "feeder" fish are basically junk food for snakes. They are not very nutritious due to the fact that they aren't fed much from the breeding facility to the store and then to your snakes's mouth. There is also an issue with some essential vitamins that are absorbed by compounds in the feeders guts.
Right now I have 3 Garters (Checkered, Red-sided and Ribbon) and I am trying to get them all on Pinkies. I'm having about 50% success - so now I am "scenting" the Pinkies with fish. Also I find that some of the individuals aren't very hungry during the winter months.

Paul

I currently have at least ten varieties of Thamnophis. Except for a couple "runts" that failed to thrive mine have all done very well, though I have not done any breeding yet. All but five individuals are on thawed mice of appropriate sizes. I have one 03 Red-Sided that refuses pinkies even if scented and I have four Texas Garters being housed together that I feed fish because of their small size and community housing. Because snakes are a little slower at eating mice you have to watch them if housed together so they do not fight and to make sure everyone eats. I keep a few goldfish around to scent the pinkies for the few that still require it. Almost all of mine will eat unscented mice though they may be more enthusiastic when the mice are scented. I do this when feeding two snakes in a single cage. Mice are better than fish as you get more calories and balanced nutrition per each meal. Mice are also easier to deal with than fish and fish carry a higher risk of internal parasites than frozen/thawed rodents. I am noticing better growth overall with a rodent diet. I have a Ribbon snake that ate a lot of fish and always looked too thin and lethargic. I know have him on 1 to 3 pinks a week (he gets left overs) and he is now active and looks terrific. If you do use fish feed them more often. I feed my guppy eaters every two or three days so they usually have a few guppies in their bowl. Frozen/Thawed fish eliminates the risk of parasites but I have not tried this. There is a Garter enthusiast in England who makes a fish grub for his Garters and I might try this. I'd stay away from amphibians but night crawlers and earthworms are a good treat if chemical free. They say red-wigglers are bitter and maybe even a bit toxic but I've no experience with them. Bottom line for Thamnophis is to feed them mice. If they do not want mice then try scented mice. If mice are not accepted at all use feeder fish. I would use worms only as a treat with for fish eaters or if earthworms were easily obtainable for me.