Confronted the PetStore Owner...

[Reptiliancousin]

and he was, of course, surprised and dumbfounded that the garter snakes aren't eating since they accepted food eagerly before. Sure. Well I talked him into a corner and hit him up with questions. All he told me was how he prepared the pinkies, just simply dethaw and wiggle it in front of their noses. He shortly after pointed the finger to another employee who managed the snakes. I talked to him and he added that he would slice the pinkie's heads to let some of the insides drip and the garters would then feed. Other than that nothing else. Well I've tried both things and they STILL aren't eating! This is my last week of return approval. I can't just let them starve, but if it's healthier for them to go back to some people who'll they'll eat for well then I guess that's best. I just don't know. My uncle and one of the pet store employees told me crickets were edible. Thoughts? I tried the slit pinkie brain and wiggling but all it got me was multiple angry strikes. It just really upsets me that they've gone this long without food. Not even my milk snake was this picky and difficult, and she delivered my first snake bite.

[guidofatherof5]

Remind us again which species we are talking about? Have you tried night crawlers?

[infernalis]

Have you scented with fish?

[Stefan-A]

Forget the crickets. And if you're getting defensive strikes, leave the food in with them and get out of their sight.

[guidofatherof5]

Forget the crickets. And if you're getting defensive strikes, leave the food in with them and get out of their sight.

Agreed. NO CRICKETS! and some need solitude.

[Reptiliancousin]

One is a red-sided garter and the other I'm still not for certain. I've left the mice in with them twice and no response. I'll try scenting with fish and pick up some night crawlers this weekend.

[guidofatherof5]

Sounds good.

[Ruth]

Could you try scenting with fish or frog and hold with tongs making a hoping like movement. Also try warming the pinky I do this by using hot water from the tap. Slicing the pinky up and leaving in a dish overnight. How about feeding live fish or pinkies if available. I also would leave them alone totally for several days before trying to feed again. Good luck :)

And another idea is to place the snake in a very small container for feeding. Pop the container back into the viv to keep it warm and cover over with a piece of kitchen towel, I also layer some kitchen roll at the bottom of the container so they can hide. Leave them for a few hours to feed.

[SSSSnakes]

Try giving them fish.

[Foxrun402]

Ok.... Here is what you should try... Get Hemostats... or 10" feeding tongs! ASAP! Then go to your local WalMart and get some DMF Bait co Night-crawlers... Garters DROOL over them! then based on the size of your garter... If its a baby... chop down the night-crawler into 1/8 sections, I use 1/4 sections but 1/8 is a smaller easier to eat size for a baby garter... Put the food onto a nice tray they can easily access.... they should just eat them, if not... use hemostats or tongs to entice them, Night-crawlers seem to always make them alert and hungry once they've gotten the scent of them.....

You can also use the Night-crawler and rub it onto a pinky and get the worms slime on the pinky to sent it and fool your snake into thinking its actually a night-crawler... This sometimes makes them eat a pinky and after a few times they will just accept and take the pinky no probs!

Please keep us updated on how they're doing!

Hope all is well!

Edit... If you hit up walmart you can grab the hemostats in the fishing section right along with the worms! Hope this helps!

[guidofatherof5]

I would be happy to send you a couple free hemostats.
Just PM me a name and address and I'll get them in the mail.