Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello.

I just caught a garder snake and it's only going to be in my care for a short period of time.

I'm going to be displaying some native herps at an educational display on Sunday and when I found this garder, I figured it would be a compliment to the other animals I will be bringing. It will be released at night on Sunday (the 18th) or afternoon on Monday (the 19th).

Should I even attempt to feed it during this short period of captivity? If so, what would be the most readily accepted food item? Minnow? I live in Northern Ohio and the snake was found in a relatively marshy area with many streams running through it.

Thanks.

You might want to try to feed it but you don't have to. If you do not want it contact me at herpman08@yahoo.com and I may be able to take it.
Thanks, Bish
Live Free and love Garters

I wouldn't worry about trying to feed it since it is going to be in captivity for such a short period. The exception would be if it was a new born. You might want to check with state laws about returning captive animals to the wild. Some states do not allow it but this generaly refers to long term captives.

Thanks. I didn't think I would NEED to feed it, but I also knew that garders have a higher matabolism than the snakes I normally care for (rat snakes).

As far as releasing it, in Ohio, as long as it hasn't been in captivity for longer than 30 days you can release it.

Yesterday I decided to try to feed him anyway. I figured it wouldn't hurt anything.

I went outside and got an earthworm (about 6 inches long) and held it in front of the snake's face and he took it right from my hand!

I tried to feed him a second one, but I guess he was content with just the one, because he didn't seem interested in it.

I'll try to feed him the other worm sometime before I release him.

Here's a photo:

Don't feed him right before he's to be handled or displayed, though, or he could regurgitate from the stress.