Newborn Snake help

[flickerfriend]

Okay, a snake that was caught by my father for my birthday gave birth, she has 8 snaklets so far, I don't think there are anymore on the way, but I need some help.
For one, we have to many, my friend may be able to take some, but how long until it's safe to transfer them? Especially to someone who has never had a garter, or, any snake.
I'll be there to help her, if she needs it, and, if it works out, I'll see about getting her an account here :)
But no stillborns, all wiggling.
We didn't soak them, it that okay? Or is it really, really essential?
When will they start eating? Should we feed them now, or wait a while?
I think that's it for now, if I can figure out how to post pictures, I will :)
Oh, and if you can't tell, I'm super excited, none of the garters I've owned have ever given birth, much less one we thought was a male until this morning :P

[guidofatherof5]

What species are we talking about?

[flickerfriend]

Northwesterns :)

[guidofatherof5]

Small slugs, earth worms and cut-up night crawlers.

[flickerfriend]

Okay, we'll try the cut up nightcrawler. What about transfer age?

[guidofatherof5]

Okay, we'll try the cut up nightcrawler. What about transfer age?

I would wait at least a month or more until they are established eaters.
Just my opinion.

[flickerfriend]

9534 Alright, thanks for the information. I really appreciate this. As I said, I have never dealt with a birth before.
Should we do anything to help Athena? Or will she be fine?

[guidofatherof5]

You should try feeding much smaller worm chunks. Basically, cut them as small as you can. Wetting the worm chunks will also help extend the time they can be in there and add some hydration to the eaters.
Keeping babies hydrated is important. Do you have a large lid for a water dish? Sometimes babies have a difficult time finding high water dishes.

If Athena is mom, she should be fine.

[flickerfriend]

Alright, thanks! Yeah, Athena's the mom :)
Thanks so much for the help!!!

[ThamGirl]

For the babies, I tried to give mine worms with no luck. Live guppies, though, small and flopping in front of them, got them all to eat. I fed them every two to three days, depending on how quickly they digested and how many showed interest. I moved them onto frozen after the second feeding, and have finally weaned them completely onto frozen. I use silversides, cut into bite-sized pieces (the big ones I remove the spine, so I don't have to worry about bones lodging). I wouldn't rehome them until they are all eating steadily and have shed at least once. I'm having a similar issue with having too many, so I'm decreasing my numbers and their stress by sending them off in pairs.

As for the mother, she should be fine. I increased my feeding times on mine to every three days, to help her rebuild her body fat (she was also sick, so it was doubly important). She's now back on the twice a week schedule with the other adults.

Hope that helps! Good luck! Scrubs are so much fun. XD

[ThamGirl]

For the babies, I tried to give mine worms with no luck. Live guppies, though, small and flopping in front of them, got them all to eat. I fed them every two to three days, depending on how quickly they digested and how many showed interest. I moved them onto frozen after the second feeding, and have finally weaned them completely onto frozen. I use silversides, cut into bite-sized pieces (the big ones I remove the spine, so I don't have to worry about bones lodging). I wouldn't rehome them until they are all eating steadily and have shed at least once. I'm having a similar issue with having too many, so I'm decreasing my numbers and their stress by sending them off in pairs.

As for the mother, she should be fine. I increased my feeding times on mine to every three days, to help her rebuild her body fat (she was also sick, so it was doubly important). She's now back on the twice a week schedule with the other adults.

Hope that helps! Good luck! Scrubs are so much fun. XD

[flickerfriend]

Okay, it's been two days since they were born, and still they haven't eaten, should I be worried? Or should I keep waiting? I haven't tried guppies yet, but that'll be my next step if two days without food is a problem.

[guidofatherof5]

Okay, it's been two days since they were born, and still they haven't eaten, should I be worried? Or should I keep waiting? I haven't tried guppies yet, but that'll be my next step if two days without food is a problem.

No you shouldn't be. Many babies don't eat their first meal for weeks, sometimes a month. The longest I've ever waited for babies to eat is 2.5 weeks. If I remember correctly you said these were T. ordinoides - Northwestern babies. I don't think live fish would be best. Night crawler chunks and slugs would be much better.

[flickerfriend]

Okay, thanks! As you can tell, I'm very new to scrubs, and appreciate all the help I'm getting, a lot.

[guidofatherof5]

We were all new to scrubs at one time or another.;) Ask all the questions you want.
With regards to feeding our new babies, I think you should offer food at least every other day. You don't have to cut up a lot. If you see someone is eating you can always add more.
Try putting the cut up worms under their hide. Some new garters are shy eater.

[jwolfe152]

Try putting the cut up worms under their hide. Some new garters are shy eater.



will this work for any new garters or just babies?

sorry to ask in your post ive just never heard of anyone doing it

[guidofatherof5]

Shy eaters come in all ages. No harm in trying.

[jwolfe152]

thanks for the good suggestion

[ConcinusMan]

Don't worry too much about them if they don't eat for a couple of weeks. Keep them moderately warm, dry and clean with hides and easily accessable shallow water dish. Offer worms twice a week. They'll eat when ready.

[flickerfriend]

Alright, about two monthes later, still, only one eater (and I managed to lose track of which one it was), and, t top it all off, the light broke -.-
They do have a warmer, but it's not very great. Finally I came up with a temporary solution while we get a replacement bulb, baths! I put warm water in their bowl, put plastic containers with hot water and lids throughout the cage, and they're all over it :D
I've also offered worms during this time.
But because it's been so long and they haven't eaten, should I just let them go? I really don't want to, but I'd rather have them be free then have them die :(

[guidofatherof5]

Two months later, let them go.

[flickerfriend]

Alright, we'll let them go tonight. Thank you :)

[ConcinusMan]

Okay, it's been two days since they were born, and still they haven't eaten, should I be worried?

Oh heck no. Worry when it's been two months. I could have told you they won't eat that soon. It's a waste of time to even try. They just got done absorbing significant yolk reserves. Enough to nourish them for a month or more.

Do they look like they're getting thin? do they seem week? Some northwestern babies hold out until spring to eat. In other words they are waiting for a big cool down so keeping them at around 50 F degrees for a couple of months, then warming back up, usually works and then they'll start eating.

If you release any, make sure you do it where mom was found, on a day warm enough for snakes to be active.

[guidofatherof5]

Alright, about two monthes later, still, only one eater (and I managed to lose track of which one it was), and, t top it all off, the light broke -.-
They do have a warmer, but it's not very great. Finally I came up with a temporary solution while we get a replacement bulb, baths! I put warm water in their bowl, put plastic containers with hot water and lids throughout the cage, and they're all over it :D
I've also offered worms during this time.
But because it's been so long and they haven't eaten, should I just let them go? I really don't want to, but I'd rather have them be free then have them die :(


Oh heck no. Worry when it's been two months. I could have told you they won't eat that soon. It's a waste of time to even try. They just got done absorbing significant yolk reserves. Enough to nourish them for a month or more.

Do they look like they're getting thin? do they seem week? Some northwestern babies hold out until spring to eat. In other words they are waiting for a big cool down so keeping them at around 50 F degrees for a couple of months, then warming back up, usually works and then they'll start eating.

If you release any, make sure you do it where mom was found, on a day warm enough for snakes to be active.

It's been 2 months, Richard.

[ConcinusMan]

Yeah, I saw that after I posted. Probably is best to let them go as long as you do it where mom was found. This time of year the wild northwesterns leave scent trails leading to overwintering shelter. Even saw some engaged in fall mating a few days ago. The babies will pick up the trail and it will lead them to a safe place to spend the winter.