Feeding question? Frog related.

[Danny]

I have been feeding my snake frogs, there is an insane amount of them in the area where she found me.

They are Spea hammondii. or Western Spadefoot Toad.

My problem is that it is still early in the year, and most of them that I find are dime size.

If I let her she would eat handfulls of them.

My question is, how many should I be feeding her and how often? She is 32" long.

[guidofatherof5]

It would be best if you can get your snake converted over to night crawlers and/or pinky mice and frozen thawed fish.
Many frogs and toads carry a heavy parasite load. Switching your snake over to the other food source will for the most part eliminate the chance of parasite introduction.
Here's a link to the care sheet. It gives a lot of great information on feeding and other topics.
Garter Snake Care Sheet - Caresheets (http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Garter_Snake_Care_Sheet)

[Danny]

It would be best if you can get your snake converted over to night crawlers and/or pinky mice and frozen thawed fish.
Many frogs and toads carry a heavy parasite load. Switching your snake over to the other food source will for the most part eliminate the chance of parasite introduction.
Here's a link to the care sheet. It gives a lot of great information on feeding and other topics.
Garter Snake Care Sheet - Caresheets (http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Garter_Snake_Care_Sheet)

I wouldn't think the parasite thing would be a problem, since this is what she would be eating anyways, but I still will be changing her diet.

For now though, how many should I let her eat?

[guidofatherof5]

I wouldn't think the parasite thing would be a problem, since this is what she would be eating anyways, but I still will be changing her diet.

For now though, how many should I let her eat?

In the wild is one thing and captivity is another. Many snakes live long lives with a parasite load but if given a choice to have parasites or not it's always best to avoid them and the complications they cause.:)

As far as feeding her. I wouldn't let her eat until she looks like she's going to explode:D Garters will stuff themselves if given the chance. Without seeing her size it's hard to advise on an amount.

[infernalis]

frogs are heavy carriers of flatworms, they will attack the intestinal tract of your snake.

In the wild, snakes live much shorter lives than they do in captivity.

do you really want your snake to die earlier than it has to?

With proper care and food, garter snakes can live 10-15 years in captivity, out in the wild it's generally many years less, because of parasites and predators.

[GarterGeek]

I heard that freezing the frogs for a couple weeks will kill the parasites. Is this true? Perhaps you can feed your snakes f/t frogs.

Addressing your question about quantity, I generally feed my snakes until they refuse to eat any more. I read somewhere that snakes should eat about 1/5 of their body weight, which is a good reference to keep in mind.

I would feed your snake after every poop. - Once a week would be about right.

[guidofatherof5]

I heard that freezing the frogs for a couple weeks will kill the parasites. Is this true?


I would freeze much longer than that. 30-60 days. It take a lot of time to kill the parasites and their eggs. Freezing doesn't guarantee the parasites and their eggs will be destroyed.
Get some pinkies and scent them with the frogs/toads. Most snakes switch very quickly and easily.

[Danny]

I plan on changing her to safer food.

She also won't eat things that aren't moving.

I have been feeding her till she just starts bulging (about 12 frogs)

[Selkielass]

Frogs and toads are quickly disappearing from many areas due to a fungal disease that, once it reaches an area, wipes out nearly or all of the frogs and toads, Zoos are being forced to raise tadpoles in medicated waters in order for them to survive.
See Deadly Frog Fungus Spreads in Virus-Like Waves (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/080401-frog-fungus.html)
You are fortunate if your area has been spared so far. Please spare the survivors and let nature do the weeding- the frog you feed your snake may be that one in a million that has resistance to Chytrid.

[guidofatherof5]

If you withhold a feeding or two(won't hurt your snake a bit) it will be more likely to take still food. Hunger is a great motivator.
If you have a pair of hemostats or tweezers you can give you snake a moving target.
Many garters adjust to hand/hemostats/tweezer feeding.

[ConcinusMan]

If you want to continue to feed your snake the toads for some reason, it is much safer if you freeze them as close to zero degrees or colder if possible for at least 2 months. For a little added assurance you can partially defrost them in the microwave to help kill the nasties.