Please help them...

[Mrs N1ntndo]

I dont know what to do. Ive got 2 babies (1 is sweatie pie and the other I havent named) that havent eaten that Ive seen at all. They are still active and acting normal as Ive observed. Even doing a lot of tongue flicking like the others. I just got done feeding all babies but those 2. I even had a first tug o war between 2 of them. Some have eaten even 3-4 pieces of worm. The least amount was 2 pieces. Im worried about the 2 that didnt eat. I have them now in containers with a couple smaller pieces of worm (2nd time ) me doing that for them. When does it get to the point I have to force them to eat and how do I do that? I have tried giving them all different parts of the worm but nothing. What do I do to save my babies? Im worried about them. The others are doing awesome and eating great . They know even when it feeding time now. Its awesome to watch. Help me help them please.

[katach]

Have you tried scenting worm chunks with a fish scent? That's how I got my babies to eat.

[RedSidedSPR]

How long has it been since birth?

[Mrs N1ntndo]

they were born on july 29, 2011. And no I havent scented them with fish. I dont have any. What kind or brand or whatever would I use. Also when I do scent them how many times will I have to do that before they eat without scenting.

[guidofatherof5]

Please remember that they all might not make it.
I used to force feed babies but lost all of them. Sometimes they are destined to not make it.
Developmental issues that are out of your hands. There is usually a reason for them not eating and it many times has nothing to do with you and what you are offering.
I don't like saying any of this but it is a truth in raising babies.

Now, Have you tried any live fish? any earthworms?

[kibakiba]

It hasn't been that long. If they don't have any skin folds on their body from lack of weight,they are fine. My northwestern yearling took about a month to start eating and he ended up being the fattest boy I've ever owned.

[katach]

Please remember that they all might not make it.
I used to force feed babies but lost all of them. Sometimes they are destined to not make it.
Developmental issues that are out of your hands. There is usually a reason for them not eating and it many times has nothing to do with you and what you are offering.
I don't like saying any of this but it is a truth in raising babies.]

Sad but true. Survival of the fittest and all.


they were born on july 29, 2011. And no I havent scented them with fish. I dont have any. What kind or brand or whatever would I use. Also when I do scent them how many times will I have to do that before they eat without scenting.

I just thawed a chunk of salmon and squeeze the juice over the worm chunks. Stinky, but it worked.

[kibakiba]

I love the smell of salmon... I think I go more crazy when I smell salmon cooking than my snakes do! Salmon is one of the biggest treats for me AND the snakes in this house! Haha.

[katach]

I like cooked salmon, but raw in nasty!

[kibakiba]

Raw smells pretty much the same to me, other than the lack of spices.

[katach]

Ewww (making icky tongue sticking out face) :D

[RedSidedSPR]

My baby took 4 weeks to eat.

It's really not been too long, I'd try other foods like the metioned salmon, or even better, LIVE GUPPIES!

Don't force feed. It's not worth it.

[Mrs N1ntndo]

Please remember that they all might not make it.
I used to force feed babies but lost all of them. Sometimes they are destined to not make it.
Developmental issues that are out of your hands. There is usually a reason for them not eating and it many times has nothing to do with you and what you are offering.
I don't like saying any of this but it is a truth in raising babies.

Now, Have you tried any live fish? any earthworms?

I havent tried fish yet or fish sent I dont have any fish today. unless you count fishsticks...lol just kidding. I will get some tomorrow providing that it doesnt cost a lot cause we are not salmon eaters. If I get a salmon am I able to feed them that too or just the juice and what kind of salmon do I get. like where does it have to be from. I have found some smaller worms after it rained or dug them up in my garden area but still didnt want too. They will sit sometimes and stare at it but make no attempt to go closer but they will smell it. But then they move away and I will try to follow them around the tank and try more then 1 time.
Does force feeding work sometimes though. Like if it gets the point (which I hope it doesnt) but if it does where there skin is folding over how would I attemp it.


It hasn't been that long. If they don't have any skin folds on their body from lack of weight,they are fine. My northwestern yearling took about a month to start eating and he ended up being the fattest boy I've ever owned.

They do not have the folds in there skin. they just look tiny. The others seem to be getting bigger faster which I assume that that is because they are eating. What is the difference between NW and Eastern garters? Is there much when they are babies.


Im deff NOT gonna give up on them. thats why I usually feed the reast and then go for them since they take a lil more time. Im hoping things will change soon though and I will keep you all up dated. Thank you.

[kibakiba]

Alaskan salmon supposedly has the least mercury and pcbs in it. I personally use coho or sockeye salmon, mostly because we can buy more of it at once and get a discount, and we eat it.

[Mrs N1ntndo]

About how much is alaskan salmon ans how much Should i give the babies. also how much am I able to give Pheobe. Also it has been a while sence I have had garters and I dont remember what I did for the winter time. I think we were able to still buy worms but I dont know. If I dont plan on hybrating them would I still feed them like normal or do I change the way they eat or what they eat.

[kibakiba]

I don't live where you are, so I wouldn't know. We got an ounce for 6 dollars I believe. Don't give them too much. It's not something to continuously feed, it'd be bad for them. Use it to scent the worms or pinkies, and give it as a small treat.

[katach]

I don't live where you are, so I wouldn't know. We got an ounce for 6 dollars I believe. Don't give them too much. It's not something to continuously feed, it'd be bad for them. Use it to scent the worms or pinkies, and give it as a small treat.

I agree, I use it to scent and give as a treat once in a while also.

[Mrs N1ntndo]

thank you all. Do u know of any other kind of fish that I can buy tht can be used like that (as in from store)and also for thm to eat regularly. Ive read the care sheets but I was wondering from u guys for expierce reasons and how it worked for u.

[kibakiba]

I wouldn't give them any fish fillet regularly, ever. No matter how safe it should be, stick to pinkies and worms.

[katach]

What Chantel said, I only use fish as a treat once in a while.

[Mrs N1ntndo]

oh ok. Ill see what i can get. And hopefully i can get something tht works . I hope I can still order the pinkies tomorrow.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Live guppies from the pet shop usually work on the problem feeders. If not like Steve said try regular earthworms instead of nightcrawlers. Best of luck with them i hope they start eating for you.

[Mrs N1ntndo]

is there a certain kind of guppy and do i cut them up to. do guppies need a pump to live. also can garters use those as a reg food. i have tried reg worms(earth) and no results

[BLUESIRTALIS]

LIve feeder guppies most pet stores have them in stock. I think you get like 6 or 8 for dollar but they will eat every single guppie most of the time.

[Mrs N1ntndo]

cool .thank you. wat about canthe live on those and are those the kind that can live wo a pump.never had guppies. and can garters live on those as there main food?

[count dewclaw]

Live guppies will often get them started eating. Once they are eating you can usually switch them to another food type. I supplement the rodents with tilapia fillet. I buy 1 or 2 fillets and cut them into ~1/2 inch wide pieces, freeze them on a wax paper lined cookie sheet and then store them in a zipper-type plastic bag. When I feed the tilapia I cut the frozen pieces into a suitable size for whichever snakes I'm feeding and then let the pieces thaw before feeding. Some of my snakes didn't like salmon for some reason. Most of the salmon I can buy around here has color added, I'm not too thrilled about added color, so I don't buy any salmon anymore.

[Didymus20X6]

I see no reason why guppies couldn't be a staple of their diet. Maybe mix it with a bit of nightcrawler for some variety.

[RedSidedSPR]

Well,

1. It's expensive.
2. Its really not easy once theyre bigger, cause the guppies are tiny.
3. It's expensive.

:D

[count dewclaw]

Guppies could be used as a regular diet, but some of my large adults have trouble catching the little guppies, they much prefer larger food items.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

I wouldn't want to feed them to mine unless it is a last resort, but most breeders on here start there babies out on them. The deal with me was the pet store in my area didn't clean the cages and they were way over populated so the fish were stressed and sick. If you want to use guppies as a staple you would need to raise your own to use and they are so small it wouldn't be worth it. I would just buy a few dollars worth for the problem feeders.

[Mrs N1ntndo]

Cool thank you.