Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, about 4 days ago i bought a new snake. Its a western Ribbon snake and when i bought it the guy at petco litteraly did not tell me anything about it even when i asked. So here i am looking for advice on my new snake.I am looking for a diet that is complete so i dont have to add vitamines. So far i have fed her 1 worm and he liked it i guess. I am interested in feeding her pinkies but i have never seen one and i dont know if it will fit in her mouth???I think she is fully grown (about 2 ft in length) but i just dont see how she can eat a mouse.The guy at petco did tell me that they feed the snakes fish but didnt even tell me what kind.
Any help would be great
Aaron

I forgot to mention this is my second snake. My other one was a rough green snake but it died several years ago and i didnt have it very long anyways.

Aaron, you really can not get away without giving vitamins to your snake. It all consists of giving a varied diet.

At a length of 2 ft. She/He should be able to eat a pinkie. The fish that she would eat are rosy reds. I hope this Helps.

---Tim

well what kind of vitamins should i use? I read on a website that even if you use vitamins they dont work because of the thiamine

Are you sure it is a Western Ribbon (Thamnophis proximus)? I have read that neither species of Ribbon snake will accept worms as part of their diet though most other species of the genus (Garters) will. I keep a large variety of Garters and 1 Eastern Ribbon. I have found my Eastern at least to be consistent with the literature on diet. My Eastern Ribbon does very well on a diet of large pinkies. I used to have to scent them with fish but now he accepts them plain and rarely refuses. I have to place the pinkie at the entrance of his hide and leave him alone. Using fish and pinkies should not require any dietary supplements. The question about fish causing thiamine deficiency is based on an enzyme in the fish that prevents the snake from utilizing the Vitamin B. It is believed that only certain fish cause this. This is prevented and cured with a diet change as supplements will not make a difference. Many people have successfully kept healthy Ribbons and Garters on Rosy reds and some Gold fish without ever seeing symptoms if thiamine deficiency. If you have a garter that feeds on a diet of worms you should use a calcium supplement, otherwise you needn’t worry about using additives.

Randy
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Firehouse Herps