Worm Feeding

[ravgez]

Today was cleaning day so after i cleaned out its cage today i decided to take a little trip to walmart to pick up some night crawlers. ive been feeding my baby for the past 2 weeks talapia pieces and its come along way, its getting friendlier by the day and easting more and more. This is the first time feeding nightcrawlers so do i pull one out and feed it whole? or do i have to chop it up live into tiny pieces? Thanks!:D

[snake man]

Depends on the size of the snake.

[ravgez]

about 11 inches

[Greg'sGarters]

Depends on the size of the night crawlers, I would say try feeding 3/4 of it, or if not 1/2. You could try feeding it whole, just make sure that the nightcrawler is dead/knocked out. I just run the tap water as hot as I can get it, fill up a bowl with it, and leave it in there for about a minute, that usually does the trick.

[guidofatherof5]

Sounds like cutting the worm into small pieces would work.
8th of an inch is small enough.

[ConcinusMan]

Depends on the size of the snake.

I break large night crawlers into thirds, even if it's a 3ft snake. It's just easier that way. Prevents them from crawling back out after being swallowed, (yes, I've actually had that happen) and keeps them from dragging them through the substrate. Either break them by hand or use sharp scissors. Knives don't work very well for this purpose.

[tress29]

The tub of worms I have right now are on the small side. I take two of them and cut a half inch off the biggest worm. Then I cut that into 3 pieces for the little guy. I cut the remaining worms in half. I was lazy tonight and just hand fed the big guys! Sure wish my hognose was so easy to feed!

[Selkielass]

My t. Butlerii will subdue worms almost as long as they are, when young. (I suspect Butlers have pvery potent saliva.)
Other species are happier w pieces not much bigger than their head.

[channa]

Could some body please have a look at yorkshire worms uk please and let me know if these are safe to feed my snake. Many thanks tim

[guidofatherof5]

Stay away from the Dendrobaena worms- Composting worms, toxic to Garters.

The lob worms (Lumbricus terrestris) are safe.
Bookmark this website for future reference.

Lob worm (Lumbricus terrestris) | OPAL (http://www.opalexplorenature.org/Lobworm)

[channa]

I'm completely put off now with the feeding of worms. I'm not sure whats what and i don't want to take the risk with not knowing what worm is what. I only got the girl yesterday so in no rush to offer her any food as yet. Will pick up some trout next week and try her and maybe try a fluff. Thanks you for your help steve

[guidofatherof5]

If you stick with lob worms you will be safe. Check out the care sheet for a photo of compost worms which are to be avoided.

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

[channa]

This is the worrying thing. I have just bought a tub of "earthworms" From my local store but they look like the worms that link says not to feed! Lob worms from bait stores these are the big fat juicy ones right?

[guidofatherof5]

Can you post a photo of the "earthworms"? Let's see if we can ID the worm.
Adult lob worms are big and juicy according to my garters.:D

[gregmonsta]

This is the worrying thing. I have just bought a tub of "earthworms" From my local store but they look like the worms that link says not to feed! Lob worms from bait stores these are the big fat juicy ones right?

Fishing Worms and Bait - Lobworms | Worms Direct (http://www.wormsdirectuk.co.uk/acatalog/lobworms.html)

[channa]

Thanks Greg... Steve will get some pics up asap. Plus of the new set up having temp troubles.

[channa]

8319832083218322

Ok the worms that i bought,Plus the fish given to me if anybody can identify either and let me know if they are safe my my little girl.

Many many thanks for your time and patience with me.

Regards Tim

[guidofatherof5]

Don't feed those worms. The banding is a dead giveaway for a compost work and the rounded tail section. Notice they don't have a flat tail like a night crawler/lob worm.
Sorry I can't help you on the fish. Do you have the common name for them? What were they sold as?

[channa]

Got the fish from the store i bought my snake from they just said it's what we feed ours. As always if im not sure i like to check before i do anything and glad i did. The worms i was told again,it's what they feed theres so just shows how little these people that are selling these animals know. Thanks Steve have ordered 100 lobs should be here this week. Is it best to feed the worms along side fluffs,and put some trout fillet in now and again? It's just taken a fluff without hesitating.

[guidofatherof5]

A varied diet is best in most situations. Please let them know that compost worms are bad for garters. Refer them to the forum care sheet or take them a copy of it. It might just save their snake's life.

[chris-uk]

Got the fish from the store i bought my snake from they just said it's what we feed ours. As always if im not sure i like to check before i do anything and glad i did. The worms i was told again,it's what they feed theres so just shows how little these people that are selling these animals know. Thanks Steve have ordered 100 lobs should be here this week. Is it best to feed the worms along side fluffs,and put some trout fillet in now and again? It's just taken a fluff without hesitating.

You'll find that even reputable shops that sell garters know bugger all about caring for them. I went into a shop the other day and was told that they didn't keep garters because they are considered a advanced snake due to their fish diet, and feeding fish put new keepers off keeping them. And this is a shop run by people who claim to have been keeping reptiles themselves for decades. Other shops have told me that garters eat crickets.

As Steve said, a varied diet is good. It sounds like you're on the right lines now.

[d_virginiana]

I went into a shop the other day and was told that they didn't keep garters because they are considered a advanced snake due to their fish diet, and feeding fish put new keepers off keeping them. And this is a shop run by people who claim to have been keeping reptiles themselves for decades.

Thawing frozen silversides IS pretty complicated.

[ConcinusMan]

I went into a shop the other day and was told that they didn't keep garters because they are considered a advanced snake due to their fish diet, and feeding fish put new keepers off keeping them.

It's true. They do sell savannah monitors though. Those are a much better choice for reptile beginners and all you need is a 20 gallon setup they said. They do also sell ribbon snakes. Way easier than garter snakes. Someone working at Petco even said so.:D

[d_virginiana]

Oh, and don't get me started on how easy pacman and white's tree frogs are to care for. They don't need extra heat or humidity, they eat mealworms, and you can house them with a buddy so they don't get too lonely.
And that's why you sign that sheet of paper saying that if the animal dies within two weeks you get a refund.

[ConcinusMan]

They probably have it down to a science. They put time limits on how long they can be in the store and they know it will take at least 3 weeks at home to die if you follow their care advice.:rolleyes: