Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got a Canadian Garter Snake nine days ago, his name is Yamba. He hasn't been eating anything ive given him so far. I read that for the first week in their terrarium they won't accept food, but im worrying about him. Is this normal? I've tried to feed him mealworms and very narrow strips of fish fillet sprinkled with a vitamin supplement. answers are appreciated, Yamba and I both say thanks!

That's not long for a new garter to go without eating...especially THIS time of year. Try offering small bait store minnows or rosies from a petstore (feeders). Offer them still wiggling and hold them carefully right in front of the snake's face (take it slow...don't jam it right in there).
Is this a wild caught or a captive born? Either way, it could be slowed down for the season. One of my garters went 2 months without eating this winter. So I put him it the basement where it was cooler and dark for about 3 weeks. Brought him up, and now he's pounding minnows again. Point is...If he's otherwise healthy, a month or even two or more without food won't kill him.
Mine was just a yearling, and I could hardly believe that he could go that long and be OK. But he's fine. Good luck with yours. Duffy

I got yamba at an exotic pet store, he wasn't caught from the wild. also I live in the western US, so im not sure if he'll go into hibernation? it might be too hot. (our house always stays from around 86 degrees [at day] to 72 degrees [at night]) anyway thanks for the help i dont have to worry then. and i'll try to put it up to him and see what happens. I hope he'll start eating sometime.