New member w/new baby

[houseape57]

Hello to all. I have a very very tiny garter. I don't understand why so late in the year but it is what it is. I am new to snakes (I have 10 leo geckos) and have taken this little guy into my home. He lives in a 10gal tank w/branchs/moist hide/uth/above heat lamp (1/2 tank). I am in upstate New York and the weather here, well...it's gonna snow tonight, night time temps are 20's, day time 40's. I feared he would die if left outside, I found him laying in the driveway trying to get some heat from what ever sunshine he could find. My problem: He is so small I don't know what to feed him. I tried tiny mealworms...nope, cut up worm...nope, wax worm, nope. :( I do have pinkies but not to keen on cutting body parts off :eek: but will if I havvvveee to. Please help me so I can help him. What else do I do and what else does he need to make him happy and healthy. Or..is there anyone out there interested in taking him. If so I want someone with experience, period. Oh by the way, his name is Columbus (found him on Columbus day). Thank you all in advance.
Kathy

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard, Kathy.

You can forget about getting the snake to take mealworms or other insects. They're not a part of their diet. Your best bet is with cut-up worms and live fish.

[zooplan]

welcome to the forum, Kathy

[Sid]

Welcome to the forum, Kathy. I feed my baby garters cut up nightcrawlers or cut up pinkies in a shallow water bowl with feeder guppies.

[houseape57]

Oh so if I put them in a shallow bowl that should help then. Thank you, will give it a try.

[guidofatherof5]

Welcome, Keep him warm and have a small lid or something filled with water. If you have a place to dig some very small earthworms that would be great. I had a very small one that didn't eat for weeks. Just when I thought I would have to put her down she started eating. While she travelled around her enclosure I dropped a very small worm in her path. She grabbed it and down it went. She won't take anything by hand or big like my others will so I keep plenty of very small worms on hand. I'm hoping after she puts on some weight she'll start taking larger food and some salmon. Be patient with the little one and enjoy. Great job rescueing the little scrub.

[Lori P]

Welcome Kathy! Here is a general care sheet on garters:

http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Garter_Snake_Care_Sheet

Keep trying with chopped worms and maybe some small guppies or minnows swimming in a shallow bowl... frozen pinkies aren't too bad to chop up, and you can cut them length wise to go down better. :-) It may take him a bit to start eating for you, just offer things every couple of days.

We love pics, so be sure to share!!!! :-)

[Garter_Gertie]

Nice to have you join us, Kathy!

[Lexa]

Welcome to the forum! I hope you find this place as useful and freindly as I have!

[Aundrea]

Welcome to the Forum Kathy!!! I would love to see pics of your new little one :D

My Garter didnt eat for me for over a month :eek: But he is bigger then yours but all I did was buy some minnows and he FINALLY ate. Now he eats well for me :D

[infernalis]

Welcome Kathy.

I live in upstate NY as well, We had a lot of late litters in the wild this year, Your hunch was a good one, the first winter is the hardest, and without "bulking up" first. the outlook is not the best.

If you need any assistance of any kind, I am almost always available.

Can you please describe your snakes coloring or post a photo.

There is a couple species of smaller snakes that sometimes get mistaken for garters, Feel free to look on my web site and see if any of my snakes look like yours.

Most of all, have fun here............

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, Kathy :)

[count dewclaw]

Welcome, welcome! :D

[jitami]

Welcome Kathy! Lots of good advice already... good luck with your little one :)

[Snake lover 3-25]

hello and welcome to the forum:D

[adamanteus]

Hi Kathy, and welcome to the forum.:)

[houseape57]

Wow what a welcome!! Thank you all. Question; I will put a shallow water bowl in the incloseure but do I put the pieces of worm and salmon in the water? LOL this is nothing like geckos so please bare with me. I will do the best for this little guy. As soon as I figure out how to post pixs I will send some along. Thanks again to my new family.

[reptile3]

Hi Kathy :) and Welcome!! Can't wait to see what your little one looks like.

I own 2 leopard geckos, aren't they cute!!! Mine are both females.. Bella & Jenna!!

Glad to have you here.:D

[Lori P]

Wow what a welcome!! Thank you all. Question; I will put a shallow water bowl in the incloseure but do I put the pieces of worm and salmon in the water? LOL this is nothing like geckos so please bare with me. I will do the best for this little guy. As soon as I figure out how to post pixs I will send some along. Thanks again to my new family.

I would... often times this stimulates them to hunt and eat. :-) Keep us posted!!!

[guidofatherof5]

I wouldn't put it in the water. If you have a pet shop close, buy a couple of guppies and put them in the water. The movement and the smell may stimulate eating or at least interest. Try dropping the worm in front of her while she's travelling around the cage. I've also taken difficult eater and put them in a small container and covered it for a while. Most of the time they have eaten after an hour or so. By putting them in a different container you limit there distractions and put them more in contact with a food source. Hope some of this helps.

[infernalis]

Kathy's snake pictures..... I uploaded to my server to assist in her posting them.

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/kat/snake2.jpg

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/kat/snake1.jpg

[jitami]

aaawww, that is just a wee little one... the mommy in me just wants to feed him... I'm sure you feel the same Kathy...they really do pull at our heartstrings, don't they? Hopefully he'll cooperate and eat for you soon!

[Snake lover 3-25]

lol he sure is cute:D ribbon????

[reptile3]

awwww a wee leetle dood...* as Kyle would say *

thanks for posting the pics for Kathy...:D

[Snaky]

Welcome and have fun here :)

To put live fish in a shallow dish is a very good tip, the splashing triggers the feeding response. Also the cut up worms can do the trick, mostly due to the small I've noticed. So both were very good tips given to you.

As you are new, the general caresheet might also be a good idea to look at:
http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Garter_Snake_Care_Sheet

[Garter_Gertie]

What a darling BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Does pull the heartstrings for sure!

[Aundrea]

WOW What a tiny little baby!! Sooooooo CUTE :D

[houseape57]

Update; Well I put some really tiny guppies in his water dish this am and he ate two of them. He is now on his uth feeling full and content. :D Thanks to all for your input and caring. I will keep you all posted as time goes on.
Kathy and Columbus

[gregmonsta]

Welcome to you and the tiny little squiggle!!!

[Lulu Bennett]

welcome to the forum sweet xxx

[olive oil]

Alright Columbus. Good news.

[guidofatherof5]

Great news. Now it will just be a growing little scrub. Nice job.

[houseape57]

Found two more frozen babies under the wood pile yesterday. They have been thawed out and as of this morning they have full bellies and are warm and active. Thanks to all for all the help, I could not have done it without you. Now I understand how you all can love these little creatures. I'm having a great time with them. In fact I don't watch t.v. in bed anymore, I watch them :D.
Kathy and the Gang

[jitami]

Awww, you know we're going to need more pictures, right? :D

[houseape57]

Why of course jitami :D I like to share.

[Snake lover 3-25]

OMG more lol wow you're going to be overflowed with snakes in no time:D lol aren't they addicting?????:D:p

PICS!!!!!!!!:eek::D

[infernalis]

Found two more frozen babies under the wood pile yesterday. They have been thawed out and as of this morning they have full bellies and are warm and active. Thanks to all for all the help, I could not have done it without you. Now I understand how you all can love these little creatures. I'm having a great time with them. In fact I don't watch t.v. in bed anymore, I watch them :D.
Kathy and the Gang

Love to hear happy endings like that.

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/1fun/smiley-clapping.gif

[drache]

welcome to the forum, Kathy
great job taking care of the little ones