superworm?

[Jeffm91]

Do garter snakes eat 'superworms?'

[guidofatherof5]

If you're talking about the giant mealworms the answer is NO.
Garters are unable to digest the exoskeleton's of any insects.
Zophobas morio - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zophobas_morio)

[Light of Dae]

No insects of any sort, Even if the snake does eat it(Cause it was hungry n gobbled something that moved) It can kill a garter. Take a look at the care sheet, it give a nice big list of good foods n what not to feed. Also has many useful care advice things that I wouldn't of known with out the care sheet.

Good idea to bookmark it and reference it often lol until it is memorized! jk.

Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet (http://www.thamnophis.com/index.php?page=caresheet)



What kind of garter do you have? Pictures? How long have you had it?

[Jeffm91]

Thanks everyone. I knew that they cannot eat insects, but when I read about earthworms I assumed they were okay :/. Luckily I didn't feed him until making sure. I read the care sheet (and did bookmark it :p ) so that was helpful. I am unsure of the actual type of garter (the pet store didn't even know..) I have had him for about one week now.

http://i50.tinypic.com/2jer08x.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/2428vnc.jpg

[Jeffm91]

sorry accidentally double posted

[guidofatherof5]

Looks like a Ribbon Snake of some kind. Where are you located?

[Jeffm91]

New York City

[guidofatherof5]

OK. that didn't help.:D

I'll look into an I.D. for you.
Any blue in her coloring?

[Jeffm91]

Great, thank you!

[Jeffm91]

No blue coloring.. Only hues of green and white. Reminds me of an army shoelace for some reason.

[guidofatherof5]

I'm guessing it's a female and have a suspicion she might be gravid. She looks thick for a ribbon but for some reason the neck area seem thick also. Any chance for some better photos?

[Invisible Snake]

New York City

A fellow New Yorker! Kool.

[guidofatherof5]

I'm leaning towards Thamnophis proximus (Western Ribbon Snake) not sure or subspecies.

[Jeffm91]

I'm guessing it's a female and have a suspicion she might be gravid. She looks thick for a ribbon but for some reason the neck area seem thick also. Any chance for some better photos?

I will take some better photos, she is currently hiding! How can you tell if she is gravid?



I'm leaning towards Thamnophis proximus (Western Ribbon Snake) not sure or subspecies.

Just google'd some photos.. that does look accurate!


A fellow New Yorker! Kool.

Woohoo! I'm in Manhattan!

[guidofatherof5]

I will take some better photos, she is currently hiding! How can you tell if she is gravid?


Better photos and probably more important, TIME.
I'm guessing she's wild caught. Would be a good idea to get a fecal float done as in the wild their food is usually heavy in parasites.

[Jeffm91]

The pet store did say they were donated from a breeder

[guidofatherof5]

If I were you I would contact the pet store and see if they will contact the breeder for an I.D. or any other background they can provide.

[Jeffm91]

Yes you are right. I will do that tomorrow.

[ProXimuS]

Yay! A new ribbon on the forum:D

[sirtalis01]

Yeah thats a ribbon if you got her at petco or peatland she's a wild cought and 90% she's gravid.. I'm over the Williamsburg bridge... If you need help let me know shoot me a PM with your number... And good luck she looks awesome

[Jeffm91]

I actually got her at a pet store that isn't a chain or name brand.. so I'm unsure of the origin. I will definitely find out tomorrow morning and post as soon as I know!

[Jeffm91]

So I went into the pet store today.. They really don't help much. They said that someone 'donated' the snake to them because the owner didn't like how 'big' it was getting. (In my eyes a terrible excuse..) He said that they believe the person who donated it originally got her from a petland in Queens.

I fed her today 2 silver sides and a half a cut up earthworm, then after I got home and went to turn off her light, I noticed her eye was starting to become glazed over, I'll take a photo ASAP.

[RedSidedSPR]

The glazed over eyes means she's going into shed mode. Eyes will get real blue for a few days, then go back to normal, then she'll shed.

[guidofatherof5]

Great to hear she's eating. Glad she's somewhere she will be appreciated.
I say again a fecal float for parasites would be money well invested.;)

[Jeffm91]

Any advice for while she is shedding? I'm also particularly interested in this because there was some suspicion that she is gravid.. could this be the shed before she gives birth?

[guidofatherof5]

Time will tell but be prepared.

[Jeffm91]

Oh boy.. once it was mentioned she is possible gravid I have been doing a lot of research on it but I feel its pretty tough to become prepared! I mean I just got this snake last week!! This is crazy haha.

Any chance you could tell me a little more about fecal floats?

[chris-uk]

Any advice for while she is shedding? I'm also particularly interested in this because there was some suspicion that she is gravid.. could this be the shed before she gives birth?

While she's shedding keep the humidity up.
One other thing with the risk of worms - as Steve suggested, a fecal float will confirm it. However, I think deworming is something that it is best not doing while she's gravid. Worming treatment is quite stressful so waiting until after she's delivered is probably a good idea.

[guidofatherof5]

A fecal sample is put in some fecasol suspension liquid. The parasite eggs float to the top of the liquid. A sample of that top liquid is examined under a microscope and eggs are identified for the proper treatment. Usually panacur is used for some of the common parasites.

[Jeffm91]

Great to hear she's eating. Glad she's somewhere she will be appreciated.
I say again a fecal float for parasites would be money well invested.;)

She is definitely appreciated! I do feel slightly rushed with this whole experience but I will make it work!


While she's shedding keep the humidity up.
One other thing with the risk of worms - as Steve suggested, a fecal float will confirm it. However, I think deworming is something that it is best not doing while she's gravid. Worming treatment is quite stressful so waiting until after she's delivered is probably a good idea.

Thank you for the advice. I suppose this shed will tell me a lot?

[guidofatherof5]

Great to hear she's eating. Glad she's somewhere she will be appreciated.
I say again a fecal float for parasites would be money well invested.;)

I have not watched this fully but it seem complete.
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