Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've got a wc T. sirtalis (California re-sided) from the central coast of California. I found him a few months back and he was quite emaciated and coated with a whitish substance which wouldn't wash off; he looks like a baby from last summer who went through the winter on an empty stomach. I got him going on feeder guppies and he has since shed and put on a lot of weight.

I'd like to keep him for use in my educational presentations to children on native reptiles since he has a great personality (has yet to musk on me). What is the best way to get him to switch over to pinkis? I've tried live, and brained frozen thawed with no success. Should I try scenting them with his guppies or do you think that I'd be better off catching a small frog and scenting them with that?

Also does anyone know if guppies are any better nutritionally than goldfish or minnows. And, if feeding them as a staple will result in vitamin deficiency, are there any supplements I can give him while I'm trying to switch him over?

Thanks!
Alice

Scenting might work, but here is a method I have had luck with. It has worked on most Thamnophis and Nerodia. I just feed the snakes in their bowl each time. Eventually the snakes recognize that when I place something in their bowl, it is food. And then they will take mice without scenting, and f/t are usually taken without hesitation.
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Andy Maddox
AIM: SurfAndSkimTx04
MSN: Poloboy32486@hotmail.com
Yahoo:surfandskimtx04
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

And the sign says "No long hair freaky people need not apply." So I put my hair under my hat and I went in to ask him why. He said you look like a fine outstanding young man I think you'll do. So I took off my hat I said "Imagine that Huh Me working for you."

One of my two garters switched without hesitation as soon as it was big enough to handle pinkies. The other stayed on minnows for almost two years. Then, during one of those periods when he seemed to be aggressively devouring every minnow offered like it was his last meal, I offered him a pinky. BAM! Now they both eat rodents every week. Duffy