Does anyone know??

[NikiGB]

Hiya!

We have a checkered garter, as of now we are feeding him a pinky every other day and he has been quite happy with this. However, just recently he has seemed to be 'searching' for his dinner more often. Would we have to start feeding him older mice or just more of the pinkies, like everyday? We are not sure how old he is but he is about 13/14 inches long? (if that helps??)

Hope anyone can help! :)

Niki xx

[guidofatherof5]

How many pinkies are you feeding everyday? Everyday seem too often to me. Can you post a picture? That will give us more info to make a more educated suggestions. They will eat everyday but for many that may lead to being overweight. Just my thoughts.

[adamanteus]

Hi Niki, and welcome to the forum.:)
Personally I would offer larger meals (several pinkies) less often... say, twice a week. If you could post a picture it might help us.

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard, Niki. :)

[infernalis]

Now this subject brings to mind a good question, what would be the difference between feeding one pink a day, 2 pinks every other day or three pinks every third day, etc...

My male Puget "Sky" has been somewhat of an "experiment" as I have been giving him one pinky every day now for the last 4 months, he is no where near "over weight" and is eating nearly (gram for gram) the same amount of food as other garters in the collection that eat 3 pinks per meal every 3 days. (similar size garters)

[reptile3]

Hi Niki, Welcome to the forum:)

[jitami]

Welcome Niki! :) I have two little guys about your snake's size and you could easily do two every third day... that way he'll get a little more per week than he's getting now, but not a ton more. You could also add a bit of thawed out frozen fish fillet to go along with the one pinky every other day. It's really up to you :) As long as he's not too fat or too thin you're ok :)

[NikiGB]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the replies, i've taken a photo but dont know how to upload it?? :o Every time i try it tells me its failed?

Also, just to stop confusion, we are feeding him 1 pinky every 2 days, does he need more??

Thanks!! :D

[Snake lover 3-25]

um hold on i'll try to make a link:D welcome to the forum:D

[Snake lover 3-25]

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/site-feedback-suggestions-questions/1637-posting-pics.html

here you go:D

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Now this subject brings to mind a good question, what would be the difference between feeding one pink a day, 2 pinks every other day or three pinks every third day, etc...

My male Puget "Sky" has been somewhat of an "experiment" as I have been giving him one pinky every day now for the last 4 months, he is no where near "over weight" and is eating nearly (gram for gram) the same amount of food as other garters in the collection that eat 3 pinks per meal every 3 days. (similar size garters)

there isn't a difference, same amount of food in the same amounts of time :D

[infernalis]

Sky is a master beggar, and I am a soft touch, so I give in...

[infernalis]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the replies, i've taken a photo but dont know how to upload it?? :o Every time i try it tells me its failed? :D

Hey Niki, Here is that photo of Arnie. Looks good, I can see Arnies meal (the bulge) He looks very content in your picture.

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/garter/arnie.jpg

[NikiGB]

Hi!

Thanks for putting the picture up for me!! :D-Your a star!

What do you think we should do with his feeding pattern then now you have seen a pic??

Any advice is great !

[jitami]

Awww, Arnie's a cutie :) He looks like my little "mutts" :) http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/general-talk/4091-tamis-kids.html

I think the reason you're not getting a lot of comments on the feeding dilemma is because it can all be very individual. You're little guy is obviously doing well, so what you're doing is working :) It's kind of that don't fix what aint broken thing :) I would really try stretching it to two pinkies every three days for a while and see how that goes. Right now he's getting approximately 3 pinkies a week(3 every 6 days) and by going to 2 every 3 days it just increases the total amount per week(6 days really) by one pinky to 4 a week. I don't think he needs a lot more than that. Or, you could try supplementing his one pinky every two days with something less nutrient dense like fish or worms, which would give him more variety, more food(which he seems to want), but won't put on weight as fast as doubling his pinky intake would. Rodents are the most nutrient dense food and pinkies have a higher fat content than older mice. Worms and fish are both less calorie/fat dense, which is why I bring them up. You're really doing fine, though, and Arnie looks great!!!

[crzy_kevo]

i dont think that any of us could have put it any better tami

[guidofatherof5]

Ditto to Tami's comments. Very well put.

[olive oil]

He looks very healthy :)

[NikiGB]

Hi

Thanks for the advice Tami!! :D I think we will do what you suggested but just another quick question..'What sort of fish should we give him? Do you have to prepare it?'

Sorry for going on but he is the first snake we have had so obviously want to look after him properly!

Thanks again everyone for all the advice

x

[infernalis]

Niki - Trout and salmon or Tilapia are SAFE fish to feed to Arnie, it should be cut into pieces that Arnie can easily fit into his mouth and swallow without too much stress.

Keep unused fish in your freezer, and serve thawed but not cooked. SUSHI:D

[kbear]

I think this is along the same lines, apologies if I should have started a new thread:

Is it possible for a snake to gorge himself on one meal? As in, can he want to eat and willingly take so much food that his post-meal bulge is far too large to be healthy? I'm just asking because sometimes one of my snakes will eat so much her skin stretches so much it worries me. Am I overly concerned or should I not allow her to eat as much as she'll take?

[guidofatherof5]

All of mine will pack away as much as possible at every meal if I let them. I think for them it's feast or famine so they take as much as they can, when they can. Most of mine are very active and I don't think it would hurt them but I side on safety and health for them rather than the good feeling I might get knowing they are full and happy. I've had a couple juv. radixs steal nightcrawler out of the container while I was busy with others. They eat so much they have trouble moving. I just roll them sideways to their hide(Just kidding)

[kbear]

I suppose I'll just feed her less but possibly more often. ?