Garter snake not eating

[amaterasu]

I purchased my san fran garter 4 months ago and for a while she was eating loads. However for the past month and a bit she has only taken two bits of trout. I considered it being because of winter but I have kept the lights on for 12 hours and have kept the heat the same. I am beginning to get a bit worried as she is only a hatching, saying that she looks very healthy and is still quite active.

Even though she hasn't ate in a few weeks she has defaced quite a few times which lead me to believe that she was preparing for brumation. Would this be the best option? If so some tips would be great as I find it pretty daunting. The reason I've avoided doing it so far was because the breeder advised that I wouldn't have to.

I haven't tried a massive variety of food items, I have tried rodent tails and a couple of different fish parts. Before I bought her she was feeding on trout parts. Due to it being winter I haven't been able to collect any earth worms.

What do you think is the problem and what do you advise to try to get her feeding again?

Thanks a lot for you time.

[gregmonsta]

You have two options -
Some garters do snap out of it with raised temps and
persisting to try a variety of foods. You can order lobworms here - Worms Direct UK - worms for fishing, fishing bait, worms for bait, Dendrobaena for fishing, fishing bait wholesalers

Or put here down for a month to help reset her appetite.

With a juvenile I would see brumation as a last resort. But then, I've not had a juvenile go off food at this time of year before.

[guidofatherof5]

Greg's advice is spot-on.

[amaterasu]

I have already tried raising the temperature. I'll order the lob worms and give them a shot, cheers.

If that doesn't work it's looking like I'll have too brumate her. Are there any dangers associated with brumating juveniles?

[gregmonsta]

Same as for adults really. Juveniles do have less of a fat store to rely on though. A short brumation is advised. A month did the trick for my male radix a couple of years back .

[Selkielass]

I'm not Brumating my Eastern garter (Abby) but she has slowed down, and keeps to the coolest part of the terrarium, showing little interest in food except for worms, and even then eating quite lightly.

Ziva, my 6 m.o. checkered lives on or next to the heat and greedily gulps down three large pinkies plus assorted worms every week.

Follow your snakes lead- give it a cooler spot to retreat to if it desires, but continue to offer it its favorite foods once or twice a week and watch its weight.
Good luck!

[ConcinusMan]

Here's something to consider. You said you're giving the snake 12 hour days. Do you know how long it's days were before you got it? Probably not, but if it was getting 8-10 hours of darkness and now it's getting 12... well, you get the idea. The snake would think that it's time to brumate soon. Those people that say light intensity and duration has no affect on garters are mistaken. Once the snake gets the idea that it's time to brumate because of day length clues aren't going to respond to temperature increase alone. You must increase the day length too.

Of course, we don't know why your snake isn't eating and so don't take this as advice as to what you should do. It's just one possible reason for his not eating.

What are you using for lighting?

[amaterasu]

Here's something to consider. You said you're giving the snake 12 hour days. Do you know how long it's days were before you got it? Probably not, but if it was getting 8-10 hours of darkness and now it's getting 12... well, you get the idea. The snake would think that it's time to brumate soon. Those people that say light intensity and duration has no affect on garters are mistaken. Once the snake gets the idea that it's time to brumate because of day length clues aren't going to respond to temperature increase alone. You must increase the day length too.

Of course, we don't know why your snake isn't eating and so don't take this as advice as to what you should do. It's just one possible reason for his not eating.

What are you using for lighting?

No I don't know how long she was getting. I'm just using a standard lamp.

[ConcinusMan]

If it were me, I'd use a full spectrum florescent in addition to a basking lamp for heat. I would also make the day length about 14-16 hours. I would never use only a household incandescent. It's not natural and they are more active and eat more with a more natural light.

It's not really surprising if a diurnal snake doesn't want to eat if you're only using an incandescent lamp with a limited spectrum. Ive seen this happen many times. A snake will often seem "depressed" or inactive, and have a poor appetite when only using a "standard lamp" (still not sure what you mean by that) Depending on the spectrum your bulb is putting out, the snake might not even see half the light you are seeing. To him it could be pretty dark.

A florescent full spectrum bulb, or a florescent made for growing plants, often fixes this. You've probably heard of people who get depressed in winter because of reduced daylight and lack of sunshine. Many snakes, especially dirunal garters, are not immune to the same problem.

[amaterasu]

If it were me, I'd use a full spectrum florescent in addition to a basking lamp for heat. I would also make the day length about 14-16 hours. I would never use only a household incandescent. It's not natural and they are more active and eat more with a more natural light.

It's not really surprising if a diurnal snake doesn't want to eat if you're only using an incandescent lamp with a limited spectrum. Ive seen this happen many times. A snake will often seem "depressed" or inactive, and have a poor appetite when only using a "standard lamp" (still not sure what you mean by that) Depending on the spectrum your bulb is putting out, the snake might not even see half the light you are seeing. To him it could be pretty dark.

A florescent full spectrum bulb, or a florescent made for growing plants, often fixes this. You've probably heard of people who get depressed in winter because of reduced daylight and lack of sunshine. Many snakes, especially dirunal garters, are not immune to the same problem.

I have her in a tub until she grows a bit so there's no way to have it inside her enclosure. Will she still benefit from a full spectrum light when it has to go through the tub?

I'm now giving her 14 hours of light.