Strange Eater(?)

[guidofatherof5]

I thought about putting this post in with my "Eating Styles" thread but since this snake is an adult I decided to give a new thread.

I have a male 2 year old(as of 8/1/11) T.s.parietalis (Red Sided garter) who has been lagging behind his siblings since he was born.
He is the smallest of the group and is much more shy.
He is not an aggressive feeder at all. His tactic is to wait until a meal is delivered to the hide entrance.
Now the reason for this thread.
This male has strange behavior. If challenged for food he has in his mouth, he will give it up and then refuse to eat anything else.
I usually have to wait at least 12 hours before he'll attempt to eat again.
After a challenge he'll go up in the vines and I guess pout.:D
Do any of you have any snakes with this strange eating behavior?

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Yes!!!! I have had snakes like this before. Word for word, from the shyness to the not eating for a day after being challenged for food!

[guidofatherof5]

And then what happened?:D
Did the snake ever change this behavior?

[kibakiba]

Some of my babies will do that, and Snakey does this too often. Snakey is a great eater, always has been... But, if someone tries to take his piece he immediately drops it and coils up. He's gotten a little braver over the year since I got Snap and Ember, but sometimes he still does it. He also wont eat for the entire week that he got "challenged" for his food. I always feel bad for him and try to give him things like a little chunk of fish afterwards, and a couple days after... But he just stays in his little coiled up area.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

And then what happened?:D
Did the snake ever change this behavior?

no.... I find it's just a "personality trait". It rarely seems to change... aside from the occasional baby that suddenly becomes a gluttonous eater!

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks for posting.
Glad I'm not alone with this situation.;)

[jitami]

Sly does this, too, Steve. I've had him for 9 years now. I don't think it's going to change :) He's always been on the thin side, but I still don't stress if he misses a meal. He's an active healthy boy otherwise.

[guidofatherof5]

Good to hear. Is he a breeder?
Just wondering if the shyness affects his libido:D
Hoping my little man will breed someday.

[drache]

I've had more than one garter that does that - one adult who still does it
those are the ones I jokingly refer to as being afraid of the food if it moves

[jitami]

those are the ones I jokingly refer to as being afraid of the food if it moves

That describes Sly perfectly :rolleyes:

Steve, Sly's never bred and has been with a female for the past 3-4 years, but I don't brumate them, don't really want them to breed, but took a chance in housing them together knowing the potential outcome. At this point I think we're safe <gg> He does spend most of his waking life snuggled on top of 'his' girl, but no babies. I don't think the two things are related, but maybe Shannon will have better news for you...

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks for the info. Tami.
I'll see if he's interested in a few females next Spring.;)