coaxing a wild caught garter to feed

[PitGirl89]

I caught a little Garter at my parents place and I am trying to coax it to feed. So far I have tried worms and little fish (live and dead). The fish I've put in the water and out of water and the snake doesn't seem interested. I went as far as coating some of the worms in fish food and still the snake wasn't interested. I think its a little female, shes just over a foot long and was probably born in the late spring/early summer. I found her on a garden trail where there are ponds and rivers close by and also lots of fallen foliage, so I'm sure it probably had quite an array of things to choose from. I've had the snake for a few days now and it hasn't shown any signs of wanting to eat. Does anyone have any suggestions?!

[Mommy2many]

You just may have to wait a few days or so. The snake may need adjustment to being caught. It is not uncommon for a snake to go a couple of weeks without feeding.

You have tried live/dead fish. Try nightcrawlers. Another one is salmon from the fish dept. or a pinkie.

My two garters are wild caught and have both eaten live fish, night crawlers, pinkies and salmon. They are quite piggies. Sometimes (and I know it can be hard) patience is required.

[MasSalvaje]

I would hold off offering it anything for about another week. Let it acclimate a bit first and start to feel a little hungry before you offer. Sometimes it takes awhile so be patient, sometimes in our haste to get them feeding we end up causing them more stress which often pushes their feeding response back even farther.

Keep plenty of water available and watch for any signs of less than a healthy specimen. Although Garters have a higher metabolism than Boids and many of the Colubrids, they will still on occasion go through periods of fasts with no problems at all so I wouldn't start to get too nervous about not eating until about the 2 week mark.

-Thomas

(Just follow what Le Ann said she beat me to it)

[PitGirl89]

Okay, thats good news. I was beginning to worry that the snake wouldn't eat in captivity, in which case I will release it, but I would ideally like to keep it, its got quite a neat personality. I will wait another week before I get too worried, is it best if i don't handle the snake while I'm waiting for it to begin eating?

[Mommy2many]

I haven't handled mine too much before eating. I want to get over one hurdle at a time.

[MasSalvaje]

It all depends on the snake, some individuals will handle being held, some will not. It is up to you if that is what you want to do, but to be on the safe side most people say to limit handling during the acclimation stage.

-Thomas

Again Le Ann beat me! I am going to start calling you "Billy the Kid"!

[Mommy2many]

Good job, Tom. I agree whole heartedly.

[guidofatherof5]

Some do take longer than others. Make sure it has a heat source,hide and water. A hide on the heat and off the heat. After it adjusts and is comfortable with you the cool side hide might not be necessary. Very few of mine have a cool side hide. When they need to cool down they just laydown out in the open. I've had to wake some of them up to get them out of the way when I do cleaning. They look up at me with surprize. They are so relaxed they don't even know I'm there.

[ssssnakeluvr]

it can take several weeks before a wild caught snake can adjust to captivity and eat. if she goes for a month or more, then you should consider releasing her.

[PitGirl89]

Thanks for all of the sound advice guys.
I'm going to stop handling her for a while, which could be difficult as shes really awesome. She doesn't even shy away when I pick her up and shes very laid back and mellow (but I've had her for almost a week now and shes probably just gotten used to it). She does have a few hides in her tank with her, but I need to do some revamping, which I am going to try to make the least stressful as possible on her.