Hello from Houston :D

[ProXimuS]

Hello All! :D
I'm new here. I just got a ribbon snake recently, and came across this forum looking for answers to questions. Yall all are so helpful, I ahve already had a few questions answered without even posting! :)

I have a quick question about the forum and a couple about my little Proximus.

I tried to ask my question in husbandry but never saw the post show up...is it because I'm new and it will show up later or did i mess up and not post it?

Anyways, my ribbon is approx. 18 inches long, and I'm wondering about how many silversides I can feed him per feeding and how often. And also can he live on silversides alone or does he need more variety and additional supplements?(I know each animal is its own indivual but i'm sure yall can give me a better guess than my own)

Thank you :D

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard.

[kibakiba]

Posts need to be accepted by the moderaters before they show up for the first few postes that you make. It prevents spam on the forum.

[guidofatherof5]

Nice to have you with us.
The care sheet is always a great place to start. Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet (http://www.thamnophis.com/index.php?page=caresheet)

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//744/medium/welcome.jpg

[Invisible Snake]

Heyyy welcome to the forum.

[mikem]

Welcome to the forum!

[Didymus20X6]

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/attachments/welcome-lounge/4500d1332817250-just-saying-hi-t9i0px.jpg%20

[chris-uk]

Hello and welcome from a bright, sunny morning in Coventry.

[ConcinusMan]

On behalf of garter snake enthusiasts from WA State to Southern California, Puget Sound to the Mojave Desert, (in other words, myself)

Welcome!

[Light of Dae]

Welcome! to the best forum around!

Silvers sides are a good staple to base a diet on, but variety is always good. Try mixing some pinkie mouse chunks in some feeding n some dew worms/night crawlers in another feeding. Being a Ribbon snake though I can see silver sides n worms being a favorite :D

Love to see some pictures of your snake!
If you have any more questions or even just want to talk about your snake or anything at all, feel free. :)

[ProXimuS]

Thank you for all the welcomes :D

Kibakiba- Thanks for telling me that. I think I saw that message when I posted but it went away too fast and didn't know what it said :P

Light of Dae- Thanks for the info :) So far he really likes the fish! So I will try some worms and maybe the pinkie mice. I'm a little afraid of the baby mice though :( Not afraid just sad to do it, but I will try it if my snakey needs them! I will try and get some pictures up, he's such a cutey :D (he's a t.proximus orarius)

[ProXimuS]

I have another question about the silversides. I was told I can defrost the silversides in warm water, but I am using tap water, and I am giving him distilled water, because it is chlorine free, to drink(btw is that good or should I be giving him another type of water?). So am I counteracting the fact that I'm giving him the distilled water if he's eating the silversides soaked in the tap water, or are they still ok?

[guidofatherof5]

I don't think the tap water will make any difference.
If you're concerned leave a bowl of water sit out over night to get rid of the chemicals.

[ProXimuS]

Ok cool:D Thanks!

Also would you(or anyone) know if it's ok if my dog had a couple small pieces of silversides? I gave her some and she liked it :)

[greene]

welcome!! you will really like this place there's so many helpful people

[guidofatherof5]

Ok cool:D Thanks!

Also would you(or anyone) know if it's ok if my dog had a couple small pieces of silversides? I gave her some and she liked it :)

You're cleaning it up if things go wrong.:D

[ProXimuS]

Ok I can handle that :D
I'd be lying if I said she hasn't eaten worse....what a tomboy :P

[ConcinusMan]

probably not a good idea to let dogs eat raw fish. In fact, raw salmon can kill them.

[ProXimuS]

My dog is actually on a raw diet, but it is still prepackaged sold specifically for dogs. And there are no fish in the raw food. Very good observation, I didn't think of that :P

[infernalis]

http://www.thamfriends.com/mat.jpg

[EasternGirl]

Definitely consider adding more variety to the diet. Silversides are good...but a fish only diet can be bad for a snake...it can cause a vitamin B1 deficiency. Adding worms and pinkies to the diet will balance the diet and be beneficial to your snake's health. If you need further help with feeding pinkies and worms...just ask. Make sure the worms are nightcrawlers...other kinds of worms can be toxic. Welcome to the forum!!!

[ConcinusMan]

Definitely consider adding more variety to the diet. ... a fish only diet can be bad for a snake

I'm not so sure about that.

[katach]

Welcome to the forum family!

[gregmonsta]

Greetings :D

[ProXimuS]

Definitely consider adding more variety to the diet. Silversides are good...but a fish only diet can be bad for a snake...it can cause a vitamin B1 deficiency. Adding worms and pinkies to the diet will balance the diet and be beneficial to your snake's health. If you need further help with feeding pinkies and worms...just ask. Make sure the worms are nightcrawlers...other kinds of worms can be toxic. Welcome to the forum!!!


I was under the impression that the silversides would not make them vitamin b1 deficient since they do not contain thiaminase. And I was also under the impression earthworms were safe as well as nightcrawlers. Am I incorrect?

[JosvdB]

Definitely consider adding more variety to the diet. Silversides are good...but a fish only diet can be bad for a snake...it can cause a vitamin B1 deficiency.That's completely dependent on the kind of fish that is being fed. Feeding fish that don't contain thiaminase will provide a snake with everything it needs.

[guidofatherof5]

There are many different kinds of worms. Any worms that are considered compost/red worms are bad for garters.
They are toxic.
If you are feeding fish/fillet only they are missing calcium so a supplement is probably needed.
Here's what I use.
The pink container:
Amazon.com: Rep-Cal Calcium with Vitamin D3 (4.1 oz) Ultrafine Powder Pink bottle: Pet Supplies (http://www.amazon.com/Rep-Cal-Calcium-Vitamin-Ultrafine-Powder/dp/B00076HTQA)

[ConcinusMan]

WHOLE fish are good and the snake can live on these alone, but be careful what kind you use. These silversides are good. (available at pet stores that sell fish supplies). The latter brand is already supplemented and this species is free of thiaminase:

San Francisco Bay Brand® Sally's Frozen Silversides™ Tropical Fish Food - Marine Food - Featured Products - PetSmart (http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11271607)

Frozen Fish Food for Aquarium Fish: Ocean Nutrition Silverside Frozen Food (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16851)

[Reptiliancousin]

Welcome.
I also have ribbon snakes. Four in fact. I caught my first one in May of 2010 and have continued to look for more! Where did you aquire yours? I've found it's difficult to find ribbons. I'm fairly new to this forum myself and have discovered that gold fish isn't the most ideal thing to feed to ribbons :) I've begun to switch over to other sources. My largest ribbon accepted mice without hesitation and my smaller ones are very reluctant. Difference in character I suppose.
Can't wait to see pictures of your snake!

[ProXimuS]

San Francisco Bay Brand silversides are the ones I'm already feeding. I guess I'm off to a good start :D

Hi Reptiliancousin! I found mine at work actually :D My friend saw him one day and I've never seen one like him in the wild, especially at work, and I thought he was so pretty! The next day I saw him again in a different place(he was sitting right behind me looking at me like he came back to be friends:))So I finished my cigarette and slowly tried to get him, and picked him up with really no problem:D:D
I posted the only picture I have right now here: http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/general-talk/9856-ribbon-snake-photo-thread.html
But also just found out he is too skinny :( Thats something we're going to start working on!

[ConcinusMan]

I've found it's difficult to find ribbons.

Funny, it's not difficult at all from WA to CA. They are by far the most common Thamnophis species found in pet stores. Petco's around the Portland/Vancouver area have them for $5-$10 each summer. Some are just black and yellow. Some look like yours.



I'm fairly new to this forum myself and have discovered that gold fish isn't the most ideal thing to feed to ribbons

Definitely true. The pet stores tend to feed them on the cheapest food they will eat. In other words, goldfish. But keep in mind thay they are usually only there a short time. It's goldfish in the long term that is harmful.



I've begun to switch over to other sources. My largest ribbon accepted mice without hesitation and my smaller ones are very reluctant. Difference in character I suppose.

It's not a difference in "character" but most likely a difference in their genetic makeup. Response to the smell of prey items has been shown to have a genetic link in Thamnophis species. Even I have noticed that the preferred prey varies from population to population, even among the same species.

[EasternGirl]

I think that it's always best to feed a varied diet, but yes, there are certain safe fish and unsafe fish...those that contain thiamine and such...and as Steve said, with fish fillet it's best to use a supplement of calcium. I also know people who use B1 supplements to counteract any thiamine deficiencies. I prefer to feed a balanced diet of pinkies, fish, and worms.

Earthworms and nightcrawlers are one in the same. :)

[guidofatherof5]

I think that it's always best to feed a varied diet, but yes, there are certain safe fish and unsafe fish...those that contain thiamine and such...and as Steve said, with fish fillet it's best to use a supplement of calcium. I also know people who use B1 supplements to counteract any thiamine deficiencies. I prefer to feed a balanced diet of pinkies, fish, and worms.

Earthworms and nightcrawlers are one in the same. :)

With reference to adding a supplement to counteract the thiaminase and its effects. There was a discussion about that a couple years back but not much came of the idea. I don't think any studies/evidence was presented one way or the other.
I would have to say you shouldn't feed any fish containing thiaminase if it can be avoided. Especially over a long period of time.
Just my opinion.

I'll see if I can find that thread.

[kibakiba]

Technically, they aren't. Earth worms are pinky coloured, and night crawlers are purple... Earth worms are usually pretty small (in my experience) and night crawlers tend to be monsters. :p
But both are safe to feed, and both are eaten with great happiness and gluttony.

[mustang]

Welcome, im Robert, n im from San Antonio! your not actually that far! wow, it's been a while since i've seen a new texan poster.(someone online, not the paper kind)

[ProXimuS]

Welcome, im Robert, n im from San Antonio! your not actually that far! wow, it's been a while since i've seen a new texan poster.(someone online, not the paper kind)


Hi mustang! If you're from San Antonio, have you ever been to the Snake Farm?! It's in New Braunfels. They have all kind of snakes and other reptiles and lots of other animals. Its aaawesoome!

[EasternGirl]

Oh...okay...I thought they were the same worm. Well as long as they are both safe to feed.

[ProXimuS]

I always thought night crawlers were big earthworms :p

[kibakiba]

I had a night crawler farm for a couple months, baby night crawlers look just like large night crawlers... Only really tiny. I think I have a picture of one on here... Time to look!

[kibakiba]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/baby_night_crawler.JPG

[ProXimuS]

AAWW Its so cute! But it does look darker than an earthworm.

[kibakiba]

I'll admit that I had a hard time feeding it to my frogs.