Dex's First Shed

[Mandi0284]

so i decided to name the snake Dex.

i checked on him this morning, took him outside while i had coffee. his eyes had cleared up and he looked fine. curled himself around my thumb lol.



then when i got home after work i had a neat surprise. my snake shed his skin! i hope that means that he will want to eat.


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how soon should i try offering nightcrawlers? fish?

[Invisible Snake]

Right after they shed their appetites come back with a vengeance.

[thamneil]

You can try right away, though he may not take it. Im guessing he has had ample time between his shed and now to build up a bit of an appetite.

[Mandi0284]

i had a few rosies left so i offered them and he was so on it lol.

i know i will probably get flak for it, but i held one in my hand and he took it.

awesome!

[Steveo]

Quite a few here feed by hand, actually.

[guidofatherof5]

Such a clean look after the shed.
Nice.

[ProXimuS]

i had a few rosies left so i offered them and he was so on it lol.

i know i will probably get flak for it, but i held one in my hand and he took it.

awesome!

I hope by rosies, you don't mean roy red minnows. Those are on the list of fish that contain thiaminase. A one time feeding shouldn't hurt, I don't think, but I wouldn't advise giving him anymore. Here is a link to the caresheet, which has a pretty good list of safe and unsafe fish:Garter Snake Care Sheet - Caresheets (http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Garter_Snake_Care_Sheet#Food_Types ) And I was going to mention also alot of people do hand/tong feed. I've recently gotten mine to start taking some food out of my hand:) Besides all this I'm glad to hear he shed (make sure to check for a complete shed also, including both eyes and full tail) and has gotten his apetite back:D

[kibakiba]

Rosies are okay for a very temporary food source. I wouldn't feed them longterm though, because it can end up killing the snake with a b1 deficiency.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

I love when they they are all shiny and new:D.My little one eats through his shed is that normal?

[Invisible Snake]

I love when they they are all shiny and new:D.My little one eats through his shed is that normal?

Yes that is normal, my garters do it all the time.

[Mandi0284]

i only gave him the two that were left. after i hand fed him the last fish he kept trying to smell my fingers.
i feel like such a newbie asking stupid questions. is it a good idea to hand feed? i want to get him on pinkies, but is he too small? they are kinda expensive.

[katach]

Hand feeding is fine. Where do you live? There are a couple of places that you can order pinkies from that they are much cheaper. Here on the west coast I use Layne Labs. Snake Food, Reptile Food, Feed Carnivores, Birds of Prey : Layne Labs.com (http://www.laynelabs.com/). I know people in the mid west and east cost use rodent pro Frozen Mice, Frozen Rats, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Chicks and Quail (http://www.rodentpro.com/). Pestering in bulk online seems to be the lest expensive.

[Invisible Snake]

i feel like such a newbie asking stupid questions.

You shouldn't feel like that and there are no stupid questions, This is a forum for people who are new to garters as well as experienced keepers. We all learn from each other, feel free to ask as many questions as you like :)

[Mandi0284]

i may try the reptile shop near my apt. i kinda want to go into a store and get them. my apts might freak out if they get a box of frozen baby mice :)

how often should i offer him food?
i will try to get a picture of him eating today.

[EasternGirl]

Make sure to check his shed and make sure you see it is all in one piece...eye caps...end of the tail, etc. You want to make sure he didn't retain any of it.

[Steveo]

It depends on what and how much he's eating. Fish and/or worms would be fine to do twice per week. With rodents, once per week should be adequate (they're more nutritious).

[Mandi0284]

ok. i got some little guppies from petsmart today and will get the worms tomorrow.

haha i was putting the fish in a shallow bowl for Dex. he got all excited when he saw the fish. i was trying to put the last one in the dish and he tried to get it....missed and bit my finger.

it didnt hurt as bad as i would have thought. it was like sandpaper. at least he let go and went for the fish.

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[guidofatherof5]

Those are some tiny guppies. I love the stare he's giving his prey. Lining them up for a strike. They are good fisher snakes.

[Mandi0284]

i got small ones cause i am not sure how big his prey should be. he got all crazy when they would move.
lol he gave my finger that crazy snake look too.

[Invisible Snake]

He's looking good, keep up the good work Mandi0284 =]

[Mandi0284]

He's looking good, keep up the good work Mandi0284 =]

Thanks.

His shed was complete and I kept it. :)