New babies! Questions too

[antoniojf]

Four days ago I obtained 3 baby garter snakes (they were born that night). I have placed them in an aquarium with substrate, a small amount of water, and places to hide. They all seem very healthy as they have energy and a clear sense of things. Also, all three just shed for their first time.

My main concern is eating, as none of them have eaten anything since birth. I understand that they may have retained some yolk or may just not be hungry yet, but I want to know from people who have dealt with garter snakes before on how I should go about trying to feed them their first meal.

Right now I have a separate holding cage where I can feed them individualy and I bought pinkies which I was planning on giving to the snakes as pinky parts. Yesterday I attempted to give them food and none of them took it. I do not want to start them off on fish or worms as I have heard that pinkies are healthier, more nutritious food that carry less risk of adverse reactions (disease, parasite, etc..)

I will upload some pictures of them as soon as possible. If any of you have any techniques or advice, I would greatly appreciate it.

[anji1971]

Hello, and welcome!:)
I have always started my babies on worms. They seem to naturally be attracted to the scent and movement. I "graduate" them to other things as they grow.
Remember,it's a varied diet that gives them the best nutrition. You shouldn't be afraid to try the worms, or fish that is thiaminase-free -- many members use trout, salmon or tilapia strips. Try some tiny feeder guppies in their water bowl. It's fun to watch them "go fishing"!
Best wishes with them!

[infernalis]

All the Garter people I know, including myself, start babies on fish and worms, then move on to the pinky parts.

Bits of cut up worm and live guppies will help start you on your way:D

Welcome aboard...

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard. :)

[jitami]

Welcome! I have two new babies that I'm getting the hang of feeding, too. Thankfully they were started off by their breeder, so my work is easy :)

[crzy_kevo]

welcome to the forum and well there is nothing left to be said but increasing the heat and humidity of their enclosure can also get them interested in food

cant wait for pics :D

[Snake lover 3-25]

welcome and congrats:D i have always started my babies on cut up worms:D good luck can't wait for pics:D

[GartersRock]

Welcome!
I agree. I start my babies on worms and fish. And then add mouse later. ;)
A varied diet is important. Once they are eager eaters on worms and fish you shouldn't have a problem switching to pinks. :D

[antoniojf]

Thanks for the advice, I put in a few fish in their pond and will try the worms. Also, this may be me just being paranoid, but at what point should I start getting worried that they're not eating anything? (They were born about 4 days ago)

Anyways, here's a few pictures of them and a link to a video.

Their names are Emperor Augustus, Robert Zimmerman, and Hemingway

(the third snake is hiding inside the half-cup)

video: MOV00310.flv - Video - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting (http://s235.photobucket.com/albums/ee25/antoniojf_tamu/?action=view&current=MOV00310.flv)

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee25/antoniojf_tamu/DSC00311.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee25/antoniojf_tamu/DSC00313.jpg

note: the plastic items have been replaced with higher quality items

[GartersRock]

Those are water snakes. ;) lol!

[GartersRock]

Do you have pics of mom?

[jitami]

Well, that could explain why I thought they looked huge compared to my wee little ones :) Gorgeous babies and great save anyway, though!!!

[antoniojf]

No, unfortunately I did not take any pictures of the mother as she was pretty torn up. I did manage to find a picture on google of a snake that is very similar to the mother.

Either way, I will take the three babies to my university's animal center to see if they can identify them there.

here it ishttp://www.sloo.com/Felix/images/GarterSnake.JPG

[GartersRock]

Hmmm... Well that pic is a garter. The babies aren't.... ;)

[jitami]

Ineresting... Amanda, what type of water snakes do you think the babies are? Do they have live births? Maybe we can pull up a google pic of an adult and compare?

[Snake lover 3-25]

interesting...... i thought they were water snakes too....... but if the mother looked like that...... wow..... wierd.......:confused:

[Stefan-A]

Those are definitely water snakes.

Any chance that the mother was a Nerodia clarkii?

[jitami]

Here's a link to a pic of a striped Nerodia clarkii-
CalPhotos: Nerodia clarkii clarkii; Gulf Salt Marsh Snake (http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?query_src=photos_browseimgs_reptile_sci&enlarge=0000+0000+1204+0725)

There are a few Nerodia keepers here, too. I'm sure some can help you figure out the babies if you chose to keep them.

[GartersRock]

Ineresting... Amanda, what type of water snakes do you think the babies are? Do they have live births? Maybe we can pull up a google pic of an adult and compare?

Yes they do have live birth. :D I personally have 5 Diamondback Water Adults.
These look like.... I am not sure what sub species from the pic. But I am positive they are baby waters.

[GartersRock]

The one on the top looks just like a banded water baby... But not the one under him...
Where are you located antoniojf?

[Stefan-A]

The one on the top looks just like a banded water baby... But not the one under him...
I think it's just because it's moving.

[GartersRock]

Ah yes. Maybe they are bandeds then? But then the mom would look something like this depending on the location:
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/796/50083831.JPG
http://www.southalley.com/dnerodia/033_8981_05.JPG\http://www.houstonherp.com/BroadBandedWS02.jpg
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/wildlifecrossings/images/photo38.jpg
Hmmm.....

[crzy_kevo]

hmm i think they looks most alike to middle pic and the bottom pic

[GartersRock]

The babies look a little different from the adults and look JUST hers.

[antoniojf]

OK, sorry for the wait but I found out more info on the snakes.

First of all, thanks to everyone who called me out on these not being garter snakes, as you were right.

I took them to my university's animal science center (Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas) and it turns out that they are all three baby Blotched Water Snakes (Nerodia erythrogaster transversa).

Here is one more picture of one of them (Emperor Augustus) and of the unfortunate mother in multiple pieces.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee25/antoniojf_tamu/DSC00323.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee25/antoniojf_tamu/123.jpg

[GartersRock]

YESS!!!! I was even right on the species!! Because I SWEAR!!!! I was thinking blotched when I was saying bandeds and thought I was going crazy when I was looking for pics of "banded" water snakes and they didn't look right. lol! Sorry about that. ;) But HONEST. Thats what I meant.
Cool!
I love the red on the blotched babies! I found a DOR baby one time. :(

[infernalis]

Nerodia do make interesting captives. Good luck with them:D

[Kevin_is_a_herper12]

Aww....they are so cute...I want one....=[

[Garter_Gertie]

The middle pic o'Ster's has keeled scales. Lays out in the open. I just learned that! :)

[crzy_kevo]

good luck with your baby blotched water snakes :D

[anji1971]

Glad to see the ID question is cleared up.
Enjoy your baby water snakes. They are very cute!:)