new wild garter

[dejamitch]

i have a wild garter i caught a few weeks ago. i have kept wild garters b4 and never had a problem keeping them. but this snake is the largest ( about 22 inches ). he wont eat anything. any help?

[kibakiba]

It's normal for them at this time of the year. They're all going into hibernation right now.

[dejamitch]

thanks i was getting worried. he still has a small live mouse in his home, should i take it out or leave it for when he does decide to get hungry. he is in a 55 gallon tank so he has plenty of room.

[chris-uk]

I'd take the mouse out. There aren't many people that would advocate feeding live mice for starters. Few garters will eat grown mice, so it may be hungry but seeing the wrong food, so you could try it on fish instead.

Are you planning to keep the snake warm to prevent it brumating? If you plan to avoid brumation you can keep offering food, but if you're going to brumate the snake then you need to stop feeding.
There's a load of posts already about brumation, and also taking the temps down slightly to get a snake through the non-eating phase and back eating.

[Jeff B]

You definately should not leave the mouse in with the snake mice will chew on a snake, leaving them grossly disfigured or dead. This is not regurgitated hearsay, I have had it happen unfortunately.
Try fish or nightcrawler and if he doesn't eat, then put him somewhere cool and dark for a couple months, keeping the water bowl fresh. Garters often like to soak in the water during brumation so check it regularly and keep it clean.

[guidofatherof5]

Good advice Jeff.

[katach]

If you want to feed mice, go with previously frozen, then thawed pinkie mice (newborn mice). As said before though mice is not a normal food item in the wild, it may take scenting for your snake to take it. Nightcrawlers is your best bet, but fish from the safe list in the care sheet will work too. Welcome to the forum family!! We all love pictures too. :)

Garter Snake Care Sheet - Caresheets (http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Garter_Snake_Care_Sheet)

[dejamitch]

i took the mouse out...so no more worries about that...i've been trying to entice him with nightcrawlers. i'll put it right in front of him and he wont take it, then i just left it in the tank and found it the next day uneaten. he may already be in his brumation. he is in his water bowl alot and hangs out near it most of the day almost as he is guarding it. thank u all so much for the advice. this is my first serious snake. i really enjoy having him. when is a good time to start trying to handle him?

[katach]

I would give him a few weeks to settle in to his new surroundings. Then you can start the bonding process. If he's really jumpy just start by putting your hand in the enclosure and being still. He'll get used to your presence and start coming to you to investigate you. Our snakes are all pretty calm now, we sit and watch movies together, or play on the computer.

[dejamitch]

my snake still wont eat!!!!!!!!

[kibakiba]

They tend to do that at this time of the year. It is normal. They can live for a long time without any food at all.

[BUSHSNAKE]

thats true only if they are brumating

[guidofatherof5]

It would be great if we could ID this snake.
Any chance you can post a photo?
What State do you live in?

[EasternGirl]

My snakes have gone up to a month without eating and they have never been in brumation. My girls are not hearty eaters. Would love to see a photo of your snake too. Welcome to the forum!

[kibakiba]

It's not. Snakey went 3 months without food before, in the spring. He's never been brumated. He's still perfectly fine.

[dejamitch]

3284

[dejamitch]

i live in Michigan. my snake seems to be very active and healthy he just hasnt eaten anything. i tried worms and he wont touch them. my top broke on my huge 55 gallon tank so he had to be downsized to a smaller tank. but he seems to like it more cuz he can climb more and can "own" his surroundings easier.

[kibakiba]

Like I've said, it's normal. You can try salmon filet, tilapia filet, guppies or silverside minnows if you like, too.

[guidofatherof5]

You might want to feed on a dish or something.
When your snake starts eating you don't want it to ingest any of those rocks.
Your might also think about using something other then rock.
Here's a link to the care sheet. It will give you some ideas about other substrate.
Garter Snake Care Sheet - Caresheets (http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Garter_Snake_Care_Sheet)

[dejamitch]

is my snake a Butlers garter? from what i have researched that would be my best guess. anyone have an idea?

[dejamitch]

3285

[guidofatherof5]

Are those pictures of fish on the bottom of that bowl?
That's down right cruel to do to a garter snake :D

[dejamitch]

he just ate a small fish i put in his water bowl!!!!!!!!!! im freakin stoked!!!!

[katach]

yeah!! What kind of fish?

[dejamitch]

it was a feeder guppy i had for one of my other fish. it was great he did his lil jig in the water and snagged it. then ate it and keeps playing in the water. i assume hes still hungry but that was my last feeder.

[katach]

My girl that loves guppy does that too. She says, "I smell it in there, where is it!!!".

[dejamitch]

hahaha yea it was great watching him eat for the 1st time. tomorrow i'll get him some more so he can stay healthy. i feel like a little kid lol. but i am so happy he ate cuz i was really worried about him

[dejamitch]

steve....now i realize how cruel it really is after his 1st meal in my care was FISH LOL

[guidofatherof5]

I have to smile when I think about that poor snake trying to grab those goldfish.
By the way. Goldfish are not good for garter snakes.
Thiamin - Caresheets (http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Thiamin),

[Selkielass]

Could be a Butlers garter, might be an eastern- both are common here in Michigan. If it's a Butler, at 22 inches it is probably a female- males tend to be smaller.
Michigan Butlers come in many shades of red-brown, tan, black and yellow, but tend to have strong yellowish or tan side stripes distinctly separated from their also paler colored belly scales.

Easterns often have some reddish coloring on either side of their throat.

It is legal to keep a few wild caught Butlers in Michigan, so congratulations on your find either way!
My butlers favor earthworms, but my largest snakes have also taken guppies when hungry.

[dejamitch]

Selkielass....mine wont touch eathworms...the only thing she will eat is fish. i've tried the worms different ways but she just wont take them

[indigoman]

Glad to read she is eating, keep trying other items to vary her diet.

[EasternGirl]

Yes...glad to hear she is eating!