how many

[Snakers]

hey guys i was just wondering how many worms i should feed my 13 inch garter and how often shes beginning to be a little chub

[guidofatherof5]

If she's beginning to be a chub than I would cut back on what you are doing. Tell us how much and how often you are feeding. They will eat all the time if you let them. The are legless pigs.

My newborns get fed twice a day when I can. This for the first month or so.
My adults get one big meal a week with a snack somewhere in the middle.

[Snakers]

i feed her about 5 chopped up night crawlers every 3 days

[guidofatherof5]

i feed her about 5 chopped up night crawlers every 3 days

For a 13" snake that seems like a lot if it's every 3 days and they are full size crawlers.
That's just my opinion working with my radixes.

[Snakers]

there medium fully stretched so should it be 5 - 8 days?

[guidofatherof5]

We could trade question all night. I think you had this figured out when you started this thread. Your own observations told you it was too much. Work down from that amount until you find what works. Less food more often or more food less often.
We all have are own ways that seem to work fine. Hope you find yours.

[Snakers]

kk ty il do some tests

[ssssnakeluvr]

well,, with worms, they are mostly water and will pass thru real fast...and make a big mess too!!!!! should be fine with that amount, just make sure the snake isn't getting too fat.

[mtolypetsupply]

Nolan, perhaps it's time to vary the diet of your snake. Get some tilapia or salmon or pinks, and chop those up. Then add them to maybe, two chopped up nightcrawlers. The worm scent will help a reluctant little piggie take the new food. And variety is good for them.

[Snakers]

i tired salmon pieces and she just sifted around to find the worms

[mtolypetsupply]

Patience, young jedi. :) Keep offering them. And when you chop them up, mix the pieces, then kind of mash them together so plenty of worm slime gets on the fish. Or, try the tilapia. It's got a more mild odor, more easily camoflagued by the worm.

My new babies are all taking pinky parts now, and I had to resort to worm camo to get it done. Now they take them unscented.

[Mommy2many]

Stephi,

How old are your babies? Mine are a little over 3 weeks old. They mostly like worms but I did get at least half to eat minnows. No interest in salmon just yet, even mixed with worms. didn't want to waste the pinkie on them at this time, either:rolleyes:

[mtolypetsupply]

Mine were all born between 5/12 and 6/7. Guess that makes the oldest 3mos. and youngest about 2 mos.

When I got them, they were from 1-2 months old. I started with guppies, and fish parts, they liked that, but Mommies have to make decisions, and this snake mommy isnt' driving 24 miles round trip to get their fishies. :) Guppies in the dish with fish parts, some refused. Guppies in the dish with pinky parts, some refused. Worms in the dish with fish parts, well, I think I tricked them, and they all ate ate least some fish parts. Worms in the dish with pinky parts, I tricked them again.

Mind you, I've been working on this for over a month. Not long in retrospect, but when you have one of your precious little ones refusing the wonderful buffet you spread out for them, it makes you panicky and paranoid! My Albino Flame has only shed once since I got her, compared to 2-4 times of the others. She's my pride and joy, and I was so worried! But she's gotten the hang of it.

Don't worry, your little ones are just that, LITTLE. Let them eat worms, offer them daily, and put some size on them as best you can. Start offering some other stuff too, whether they eat it or not. Just like with human kids- they say that sometimes you have to offer a human kid a new food item 10-15 times before it decides to eat it! Same with snake kids, I guess. And when you've been offering food daily for quite a while, take a break. Give them a day off. They'll be no worse for the wear, and MUCH more hungry, and prone to grab at anything on the food dish.

And, no. I don't feel bad about tricking them. I trick my daughter too. I put cauliflower in her scrambled eggs, and squash in anything with meat. :)

:)

[Mommy2many]

Oh, believe me, I have absolutely no problem throwing in a veggie or meat where it doesn't belong. I tell them this is not a restaurant and you don't have to eat it. You just don't eat:eek:

I'll keep offering now and again the salmon. I think I'll take your advice and wait until I see them pacing, that's when they are most hungry. For now, I'll still have to go out and hunt down baby worms. That's not so bad, at least I can find them!

As for human kids, have you tried passing off the cauliflower as mashed potatoes? Make it the same way as potatoes. Mine will ask but sometimes they are not sure which one it is!!! Mine like both anyways:D