Silversides per feeding

[ProXimuS]

Hello all!
I have an approx. 18 inch ribbon snake, and was wondering if yall can help me with a feeding question. I know each snake(and any animal) is their own indivual but about how many silversides per feeding and how often should I give them? And also can he survive on those alone or does he need a variety or do i need to add supplements?


P.S. I just joined(this is my first post), but have already had alot of questions answered by this forum, so thank you for all your knoweledge and answering everyone's questions. This is where I learned about thiamiase in some fish and safe silversides :)

[kibakiba]

I would feed him until he has a slight bulge in his stomach. I would feed other food items, such as earthworms/night crawlers and pinkies, if possible. They may beed to be scented with the silversides, or cut up into a dish with each other to trick the snake into eating it.

[guidofatherof5]

I have a T.proximus orarius (Gulf Coast Ribbon) who at first only want to eat tilapia. Now she eats tilapia scented night crawlers, tilapia scented pinkies and of course tilapia. Good variety for an awesome snake.

[mb90078]

The silversides also come in different sizes. To answer your question, when my snakes were smaller, they'd get about 4 each per serving, now I give them more...7 or so, sometimes more.

The good thing about silversides is that they are a complete body, where as tilapia or salmon filets do not contain the eyes, scales, brains, etc. Still, it would be preferable to add some variety to the diet (or supplement).

[ConcinusMan]

Some brands of silversides sold in pet stores as carnivorous fish food are already supplemented. Check the ingredients label.

[Light of Dae]

Hello all!
I have an approx. 18 inch ribbon snake, and was wondering if yall can help me with a feeding question. I know each snake(and any animal) is their own indivual but about how many silversides per feeding and how often should I give them? And also can he survive on those alone or does he need a variety or do i need to add supplements?


P.S. I just joined(this is my first post), but have already had alot of questions answered by this forum, so thank you for all your knoweledge and answering everyone's questions. This is where I learned about thiamiase in some fish and safe silversides :)

How many silversides... General rule of thumb is until you can see a bulge. So it really depends on the size of silversides you get.
How often... Depends how fast the bulge goes away. I normally feed 2 big meals plus a small one in a week. So 2-3 times a week.
He could probably survive on those alone.. But I don't think he'd thrive. A lot of people find variety is best, as do I. Supplements I don't use... Some members do, some members don't. I think If you only feed silversides supplementing may be a good idea... but I'd go with a variety of foods over supplementing any day, Personally.


I'm happy to hear you looked around this site n found a lot of your answers! That is awesome! Glad you joined. Awesome job on reading up on thiamiase too.
You seem like a smart caring owner so far ;)

[ProXimuS]

Thanks yall for all the info! This forum has really been very helpful!

I'm going to look into finding somewhere to get some earthworms/nightcrawlers, and maybe some pinkie mice, but I'm so sad to think about those little tiny baby mice! But if its good for my proximus then I can try it :) I will also need to check the ingredients of my silversides, I didn't think to do that.

P.S. guidofatherof5- Mine is a t.proximus orarius too :D(I named him Proximus, I think it sounds cool:cool:)

[guidofatherof5]

I started a thread for Ribbon snake and would love to have Proximus included.
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/general-talk/9856-ribbon-snake-photo-thread.html

[ahhainteresting]

I know this is a really old thread, but I was wondering how using silversides with supplements worked? What did you use and to what amount? Did you incorporate pinkies/fuzzies or earthworms in the diet as well, or do so and forego the supplements? Thank you so much to anyone that responds!

[ConcinusMan]

Most garters and ribbons do fine and can live on whole silversides their entire lives if need be. if using whole fish like that, a light supplementation using reptivite or other supplement formulated for reptiles once every few months is plenty. Don't overdo it on the supplements. Ocean Nutrition brand are already supplemented, but San Fransisco Bay Brand "Sally's sliversides" are packed in water and much higher quality. There's no hard and fast rule about how much to feed. Just feed until they have a significant bulge and feed again when it's gone, or about twice a week. It's hard to feed them too much fish. They tend to get obese if you overfeed them on rodents though. If they're getting a variety of whole foods that includes rodents, you can skip the supplements altogether.

[ahhainteresting]

Most garters and ribbons do fine and can live on whole silversides their entire lives if need be. if using whole fish like that, a light supplementation using reptivite or other supplement formulated for reptiles once every few months is plenty. Don't overdo it on the supplements. Ocean Nutrition brand are already supplemented, but San Fransisco Bay Brand "Sally's sliversides" are packed in water and much higher quality. There's no hard and fast rule about how much to feed. Just feed until they have a significant bulge and feed again when it's gone, or about twice a week. It's hard to feed them too much fish. They tend to get obese if you overfeed them on rodents though. If they're getting a variety of whole foods that includes rodents, you can skip the supplements altogether.

Thank you so so much! I'll definitely look into that brand!

[anery]

What kinds of supplements?

[guidofatherof5]

I use Rep-Cal calcium with D3 for my snakes/reptiles.

[anery]

How much should I put on the fish?

[guidofatherof5]

How much should I put on the fish?

Dust the back 2/3rds Some garters refuse the food if the product is on the front. Once it starts into the processing plant they usually swallow it.

[anery]

So you could feed them silversides with occasional supplements for the snakes lifetime? Or will it still need variety?

[guidofatherof5]

So you could feed them silversides with occasional supplements for the snakes lifetime? Or will it still need variety?


Variety is the best for the entire life of the snake. Each food offers nutrients the others don't offer. Variety, variety, variety.

[bets5614]

Hello all. My son received a Eastern Ribbon snake as a birthday present on 12/14/16. I am having trouble getting it to eat. We have tried crickets, he has 3 swimming minnow fish in his water bowl, and thawed silversides. Nada. What can we do to illicit a feeding response in this little guy? I know that ribbon snakes are inherently slender, but this guy arrived looking underweight. 14345

[guidofatherof5]

Welcome to the forum. Ditch the crickets. Beautiful Ribbon,yours looks fine It can take weeks, sometimes longer for them to start eating. Minnows are not a good food source. They usually contain parasites and they do have Thiaminase which is an enzyme that blocks the absorption of vitamin B1. Guppies, Mollies and Gambusia are a much safer fish. Ribbon snakes are shy and flighty, many times they won't eat while you are there. Where did the snake come from? Replace the fish with one of the others, give a large clear water bowl. Ribbons love to swim and the clear bowl(glass is great) will help to stimulate a feeding response if they can see the fish swimming around. Be patient and allow the snake plenty of space. As a rule Ribbons are not a good hands-on garter. I'd suggest you start your own thread about this situation so you can keep track of it better and keep the responses directed at your situation.
Be sure to introduce yourself in the "Welcome Lounge" so we can give you a proper hello.