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Mommy2many
09-16-2009, 04:25 PM
I know that some people feed their garters different kinds of food; so I wanted to post this question. Can anyone tell me if there is a reason why I couldn't offer my garters tiny bits of raw steak? I know it is not their natural food choice but I was just thinking about the scraps I had cut off of a steak and thought I would ask everyone. Thanks for the anticipated input!:D

guidofatherof5
09-16-2009, 04:57 PM
Beef has a lot of additives. Many aren't even good for us.

Mommy2many
09-16-2009, 04:58 PM
See? That's why I go to you guys!
Thanks!

drache
09-16-2009, 05:08 PM
hm - not sure
to be perfectly nit-picky, I'd say that hormones and antibiotics present in commercially raised cattle might pose a problem (besides the more nit-picky: it's not their natural food), but I don't know that an occasional strip of steak could have that much impact

Kelan
09-16-2009, 06:30 PM
The mental picture of a garter snake eating a cow is kinda funny to me! lol

I don't know if it would hurt them or not but is definetly a lot different than little whole prey items such as frogs, fish, and worms. I don't really understand why you would want to though.

guidofatherof5
09-16-2009, 07:24 PM
The mental picture of a garter snake eating a cow is kinda funny to me! lol

I don't know if it would hurt them or not but is definetly a lot different than little whole prey items such as frogs, fish, and worms. I don't really understand why you would want to though.

I understand her question. The answer is variety. I'm sure beef has something good to offer Garter snakes but it also has a downside that may not be worth the risk. Between pinkies,worms,safe fish, and supps. our garters are probably getting a good balanced diet. Mine have been on the same varied diet for years and appear to be doing fine.

Kelan
09-16-2009, 10:05 PM
Ok, and I agree that you that they can get a pretty varied and natural diet without experimenting with steaks.

Le Ann, if you decide to try it or find any info elsewhere let us know!

Stefan-A
09-16-2009, 10:22 PM
I know that some people feed their garters different kinds of food; so I wanted to post this question. Can anyone tell me if there is a reason why I couldn't offer my garters tiny bits of raw steak? I know it is not their natural food choice but I was just thinking about the scraps I had cut off of a steak and thought I would ask everyone. Thanks for the anticipated input!:D
I've fed a couple of snakes beef on very rare occasions. If there's anything about it to say, it's that it's just muscle tissue, not a complete meal.

As for the additives Steve mentioned, the levels should not be high enough to cause problems. Then again, I don't know your beef. ;) But I'd still be more concerned about pesticides in worms and heavy metals in fish.

drache
09-17-2009, 04:54 AM
Then again, I don't know your beef.
neither do we - that's part of the issue

Mommy2many
09-17-2009, 10:04 AM
Ok,

The scrubs liked it but I didn't give them alot; just a taste. And the only reason I was even contemplating it was because I had the sraps and didn't want to waste them.

After the discussion though, I will not feed it to them again. My babies did eat pinkie parts last night which was a first! I have quite a few piggies in the bunch.

So they will have to survive off worms, salmon and pinkies; Oh and the occasional live fishy. Poor snakes:D

guidofatherof5
09-17-2009, 03:13 PM
Ok,

The scrubs liked it but I didn't give them alot; just a taste. And the only reason I was even contemplating it was because I had the sraps and didn't want to waste them.

After the discussion though, I will not feed it to them again. My babies did eat pinkie parts last night which was a first! I have quite a few piggies in the bunch.

So they will have to survive off worms, salmon and pinkies; Oh and the occasional live fishy. Poor snakes:D

You better stop neglecting those poor snakes.:D

Mommy2many
09-20-2009, 06:45 AM
I know, or I'll have the authorities comin' over to confiscate the crew! They'd be comin from Iowa, right?:D

the_edsta
09-20-2009, 09:10 PM
I used to throw my snappers a piece of beef every now and then... and they loved it; they'd stick their heads out to beg! It is pretty much just protein and fat, though it is a bit too high in sat fat. And if we're going to worry about hormones, additives, etc... we should prob. worry about eating it ourselves first...

:-)

guidofatherof5
09-20-2009, 09:32 PM
I used to throw my snappers a piece of beef every now and then... and they loved it; they'd stick their heads out to beg! It is pretty much just protein and fat, though it is a bit too high in sat fat. And if we're going to worry about hormones, additives, etc... we should prob. worry about eating it ourselves first...

:-)
Yep, you are so right.