Feeding rates.

[Zephyr]

Well, most of my easterns are hitting sexual maturity right now, and within the past few weeks I've noticed a significant drop in their food interest. How often should adult garters be fed? I'm pondering cutting the food intake to once a week.

[adamanteus]

Once a week is fine for a mature Garter, Kyle.

[Snake lover 3-25]

really???? i think i feed mine to much....... 4 mice and some fish 2 x a week..... but is that okay for a young male????

[adamanteus]

That's quite a lot really, Shanley. Don't be surprised or worried if your snake goes on hunger strike for a while soon.

[Stefan-A]

I feed all of my young snakes 1 mouse a week, sometimes less often depending on the size of the mouse. The adult female gets 1-2 mice per week. I choose the amounts I feed them depending on the weight of the snake.

[Snake lover 3-25]

well... she only eats for about 5 months a year anyway...... she just stops... and that was well before i started feeding her anywhere near that much.....

Wow that's all!!!!!! aren't they small????

[Zephyr]

Once a week is fine for a mature Garter, Kyle.Yet again, the odd thing is that I'd thought the transformation would be a lot more subtle. It's been a period of about 3 weeks since this lack of appetite started. However, interestingly enough... Fatty has not shown any sign of a fading appetite. Seeing as I had a pinky and a fuzzy today from other snakes not feeding, I "sacrificed" them to her. Took them both down REALLY fast. I attempted to measure her and I believe she's at 2 feet now...

[adamanteus]

Shanley, from the pictures you've posted she looks like a nice, healthy snake. They do self-regulate their food intake to some extent, so don't worry too much. You'll soon see if she starts to get fat...... and so will we if you keep posting pictures!:)

[Snake lover 3-25]

maybe she's pregnant?????

[Lori P]

Mordecai downs, on average, 4 peach fuzzies or 2 fuzzies, and either several small pieces of salmon or several small-medium silver minnows twice a week. He also just started going after worms, so the last week he's also downed a worm or three at the same time. Now, he's four times the size of the others... he's huge... and I'm thinking he's actually a she... but is he eating too much??

[Snake lover 3-25]

how old/long is it???

[adamanteus]

They are all individual and have individual appetites. I have one radix that would eat everything before her cage-mates could get a look in, she grew way faster than her siblings. I tried cutting down her food intake but she just dialled the pizza delivery guy. She is now on hunger strike, and hasn't eaten in six weeks, but I'm not worried in the least.

[adamanteus]

We all see our snakes on a daily basis.... and we all post regular pics. We'll soon see if they're getting fat!

[Snake lover 3-25]

you give your snakes their own phone!!!!!! i don't even have one!!!! LOLOL:D:D:D:D:D:D

[adamanteus]

you give your snakes their own phone!!!!!!:D

Of course I insist on itemized billing, so I can see who they're calling up. You can't trust them not to call the premium rate numbers.

[Zephyr]

Mordecai is an... Eastern?

[Snake lover 3-25]

aaaaaa yes.... because all of their friends have phones too!!!

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

PSHH puget.

Mordecai is an... Eastern?

[Zephyr]

Ah, but a member of the sirtalis species. ;D

[count dewclaw]

Should the amount and frequency of food be increased if the snake is pregnant? Any guidelines here?

[ssssnakeluvr]

just feed her what she will eat....she may go off feed a week or 2 (possibly more) when she is close to giving birth.

[Stefan-A]

Will they always go off feed before giving birth?

[ssssnakeluvr]

not always...my parietalis ate right up until she gave birth last year....depends on each snake. my concinnus hasn't eaten for 2 weeks now.

[count dewclaw]

just feed her what she will eat....she may go off feed a week or 2 (possibly more) when she is close to giving birth.

So, feed her maybe twice a week as much as she'll eat?

[ssssnakeluvr]

once a week should be fine.

[count dewclaw]

OK, thanks.