Snake had babies

[ddawg]

I brought home a couple of garter snakes from my friends farm for my grandson. We have had a blast learning about them (I learned alot from this site) and have had a blast. The problem is, the one big snake just had babies! I know about caring for the bigger snakes but what do I do about the babies? Do I have to seperate them? What do I need to feed them? etc.. PLEASE HELP!!!!

[Stefan-A]

I brought home a couple of garter snakes from my friends farm for my grandson. We have had a blast learning about them (I learned alot from this site) and have had a blast. The problem is, the one big snake just had babies! I know about caring for the bigger snakes but what do I do about the babies? Do I have to seperate them? What do I need to feed them? etc.. PLEASE HELP!!!!
Welcome aboard. :)

Feed them the same sort of food as the adults, only smaller pieces. It's best to separate them.

[drache]

have a cigar - your grandson must be loving this
yes - smaller pieces, and more often
mine often don't eat for the first week - so don't worry too much, if they don't take food right away
I've always managed to get my babies to take dead items (pinky strips, trout or salmon strips), before they ever knew that food could move, but that may just be my dumb luck
and welcome to the forum

[guidofatherof5]

Welcome to the forum. What a great first post. BABIES! Looking forward to seeing some pictures. Separating them out is a good thing. Make sure they have a heat source, hide and a low water dish. For the first few days I place mine in water just to make sure they are getting a drink. This also helps any that didn't complete their shed.
Gupppies are a great first food. Placed in a shallow water dish, their splashing and flopping around usually attracts a lot of attention and stimulates a feeding response. Best of luck with the new little scrubs. Aren't they just the cutest little things?

[ddawg]

It seems they have already shed. We have counted 36 alive and one dead. When you say separate, how many should I seperate them to. Can they be with the mother or should they be alone. They are easten garters. I am working on some pics. Also, how fast do they grow. There's no way I'm prepared or equipped to care for 36 snakes!!!! It has been a wonderful experience but I don't want any to die due to my neglect. For the time being, I have all the babies in a 10gal. aquarium with a small heat rock and some bark substrate and a small bowl of water. Should I cut up a nightcrawler into small pieces and put it into the tank or are they too small yet!!!

[jamromhem]

I believe the idea of separation is to get them away from their mother before she gets hungry.

[ddawg]

Just an update!! Babies are eating like crazy (cut up crawlers). Everything seems to be going fine at the moment. They are fascinating. So curious and active! I can't seem to upload pics to this website but pics can be seen at my myspace page. myspace.com/gkountz click on pics. Thanks evryone for your help.

[ddawg]

Here are a couple of pics!!! She had 36 live and 1 dead!:D:eek::confused: Will try and get better pics later.
Glenn

[jamromhem]

I am still not good at identifying all the garters. anyone got an ID on these?

EDIT: Disregard they were identified as eastern in another thread :P (thought that is what they were but still learning the difference.)

[DrKate]

For the time being, I have all the babies in a 10gal. aquarium with a small heat rock and some bark substrate and a small bowl of water.
Some people are very anti-heat-rock, I think because they can get too hot and burn an animal that sits on them for too long - but I don't have any horror stories of my own to back that up. I'd suggest just sticking your hand in there and touching the rock every once in a while. If you can comfortably touch the rock for an indefinite time (e.g. it's not so hot that you have to remove your hand), it's probably OK for the snakes.

[ssssnakeluvr]

look like easterns to me. not a fan of hot rocks.... undertank heaters are better...

[ddawg]

I got rid of the hot rock. I unplugged it and they seemed to do just fine. They are all still really active and are feeding like crazy! We are all truly fascinated by this event! I can't wait to see the little ones grow. They already seem to be developing their own personalities.
Glenn

[guidofatherof5]

Don't know if you have a local Craigslist.com but it's a good place to find a heat mat at a good price. I picked up an extra large mat for $5 the other day. Babies love that extra heat.
Good luck with the little scrubs.

[Odie]

There's no way I'm prepared or equipped to care for 36 snakes!!!! It has been a wonderful experience but I don't want any to die due to my neglect. you Could let half or so go back to the farm ? Keeping that population going :)

[jitami]

Welcome! You're new babies are simply adorable! I second the motion of releasing some. If you take them back to where you found mom they should be fine. 38 adults is a lot to care for and releasing them will not really be an option later.