How much should I feed my valley garter?

[valleyGarter]

I'm new to the forums and snakes in general.
I recently got a valley garter snake and have no real idea of how much to feed him. I have no idea how old he is. He eats pinkes just fine, but I'm concerned they're not enough. He gets one a week.
If it helps, he's roughly 28" long and his head is about 1/2" across.
Any help is appreciated.

[guidofatherof5]

One pinky a week doesn't seem like enough for a snake that size. I would think a snake that size could eat 3-4 pinkies twice a week. Much depends on the size of the pinkies. Any chance you can post a photo of your snake and the pinkies?
Here is a link to the care sheet which should answer many questions.
Any questions not covered can be posted to the forum.
Please take time to introduce yourself in the welcome lounge so that we can give you a proper hello. I'll also put a link to the lounge.
Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet (http://www.thamnophis.com/index.php?page=caresheet)
Welcome Lounge (http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/welcome-lounge/)

[EasternGirl]

I feed my 35 inch female eastern garter 2-3 pinkies every 5-6 days. Mind you, I do not only feed her pinkies. I feed her a balanced diet of pinkies, fish, and worms. When I feed fish or worms...I just try to make it the equivalent of 2-3 pinkies worth of food. My male, who is about 2 and a half feet long, and my foot long males get 1 pinkies worth of food every 5-6 days. I hope that helps! Welcome to the forum!!

[Invisible Snake]

Heyy welcome to the forum, I agree with my 2 buddies up there, you should try to feed them a varied diet consisting of worms, safe fish, and pinkies. However pinkies are highly nutritious and will suffice their nutritional needs. Also if possible please post pics of your snake :)

[kibakiba]

Just don't feed pinkies too often, they can cause rapid weight gain if you feed them too many. They are also pretty high in fat, which is why I also prefer feeding a balanced diet with fish and worms.

[d_virginiana]

Agreeing with what everyone else has been saying :)

Activity level can determine how much you want to feed too. We used to feed our two foot male probably 2 pinkies and some nightcrawlers, or six to seven large minnows over the span of a week. He was super active though so he stayed lean (half the time he looked like he was running laps around his tank).

[valleyGarter]

I don't know if it makes a difference, but I measured nose to tip. From nose to vent, he's 20-21" Also, I feed him worms from the garden when I find them, specifically European Nightcrawlers. I read that they contain parasites so I try not to make it a regular thing. I also tried goldfish (shame on me) when I first got him, but he showed no interest. I read that fish also carry parasites and I don't know what safe fish my local pet stores carry. I've considered switching up to fuzzies if I can find them.
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[guidofatherof5]

Where are you located? European Night Crawlers? Eisenia hortensis or Dendrobaena veneta I believe they are a compost worm and are toxic to garter snakes..
Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I would think he could handle a couple pinkies that size a couple times a week.
Guppies, Mollies and Gambusia (Mosquito fish) are usually a safe fish.

[ssssnakeluvr]

regular fishing nightcrawlers are fine, no parasites. at his size he could eat 3-4 large worms every 4-5 days. they specialize in frogs in the wild, but don't feed frogs :D they can carry parasites. if you just got him, he might need a week or 2 to adjust to captivity.

[valleyGarter]

In answer to Guidofatherof5, I live in the northwest, but European Nightcrawlers were introduced to the the american continent at some point. The worms I think you're talking about are Eisenia Fetida, or red wrigglers. Hortensis are the purplish ones that come out after a rain and can be found in decomposing leaves. Also,Thanks for the fish suggestions, maybe he'll take them now that he's had a while to become accustomed. Thanks to ssssnakeluvr about the nightcrawlers being free of parasites.
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[ssssnakeluvr]

the eisenia worms can be toxic. regular nightcrawlers can be bought at Walmart we get lots of them out during long rainy days and nights happy to help too!!

[Light of Dae]

I always check when buying any worm, as I find that they are all mislabeled... I end up buying containers that SAY "Red Wiggers" but are Actually safe "dew Worms"
I check what kind of worm by looking at them, and if I'm ever in doubt I pick out a worm from the container n I pinch it n see if its a nasty yellow fowl slime or just normal clear worm slime.

But it already sounds like you know the differences on the worms so you should be all good :) Beautiful snake btw.

[valleyGarter]

Everything I've read said that the fetida species is toxic, but the genus eisenia is generaly safe. Hortensis is a variety of Nightcrawler afterall.

[guidofatherof5]

Everything I've read said that the fetida species is toxic, but the genus eisenia is generally safe. Hortensis is a variety of Nightcrawler afterall.

It's that word "generally" that would worry me.

Canadian night crawlers (Lumbricus terrestris) are safe and should be readily available.
I'm not trying to tell you what to do and I am certainly not a worm expert by any means.

[ssssnakeluvr]

no expert here either =) Lumbricus terrestris are safe and tons of them are available. someone on here buys them in bulk... Might be Steve but I don't remember.
check out this page.... Earthworm guide | OPAL (http://www.opalexplorenature.org/Earthwormguide) the lob worm (european nightcrawler) is the lumbricus terrestris. I also find worm similar to the blue gray worm here in Utah...lot smaller and easier for little ones to eat.

[guidofatherof5]

no expert here either =) Lumbricus terrestris are safe and tons of them are available. someone on here buys them in bulk... Might be Steve but I don't remember.
check out this page.... Earthworm guide | OPAL (http://www.opalexplorenature.org/Earthwormguide) the lob worm (european nightcrawler) is the lumbricus terrestris. I also find worm similar to the blue gray worm here in Utah...lot smaller and easier for little ones to eat.

About a thousand a month here Don.;)

[ssssnakeluvr]

WOW!!! that's a lot of worms! but then again.... you have a lot of mouths to feed :D

[Didymus20X6]

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