Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 24

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    "First shed In Progress"
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Chelsea MA
    Posts
    90
    Country: United States

    Question about worm born parasites.

    In the expectation of my checkered albino arriving soon I was wondering how best to prepare garden earth worms, I already know to watch out for the red wigglers which are toxic, what I'm concerned about are parasites. Would pre freezing them before feeding them to the snake be sufficient, or should I take a different approach altogether? Also if I do freeze them, should I thaw them out or just toss them right in the water dish? Not sure whether it would matter or not.

    Also any first time feeding tips you could offer would be great. I remember when I was young I could never get wild caught snakes to eat so I don't want to take any chances.
    when I was little they called me the snake man... as I was usually carrying around a bucket full of brown snakes.

  2. #2
    T. radix Ranch guidofatherof5's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    C.B,Iowa(radixville)
    Posts
    23,452
    Country: United States

    Re: Question about worm born parasites.

    I don't think freezing will work very well.
    You'll end-up with a pile of un-usable goo.
    Parasites in earthworms and night crawlers are less of a risk than many other food sources.

    If your feeding the small earthworms you can probably feed whole worms.
    If you're using night crawlers you'll need to cut them into small chunks.
    I use a very sharp pair of scissors to do the job.

    I've found that all garters like to hunt for worms. I put a small dish of dirt and worms in for them. This way they can search/find and eat their meal.
    Steve
    5 awesome kids!
    Emmy, Kale, Molly, Gabby, Hailee
    They are not just snakes. They're garter snakes.
    http://www.youtube.com/user/thamnophis14?feature=mhee

  3. #3
    "First shed In Progress"
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Chelsea MA
    Posts
    90
    Country: United States

    Re: Question about worm born parasites.

    I'm less clear on the distinctions between large and small earth worms. The ones I used to dig up for fishing purposes were about the size of my index finger. Though thinner. since I get them from my my garden it shouldn't be that dangerous I just wanted to make sure. I don't want my snake to get worms from eating worms.
    when I was little they called me the snake man... as I was usually carrying around a bucket full of brown snakes.

  4. #4
    Banned
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    12,873
    Country: United States

    Re: Question about worm born parasites.

    Quote Originally Posted by GaiusIuliusTabernarius View Post
    I don't want my snake to get worms from eating worms.
    Not all that likely to happen. Also, the most harmful parasites wouldn't come from worms or the dirt. They would come from live fish or amphibians which in turn, got them from swallowing eggs that were left in water.

  5. #5
    T. radix Ranch guidofatherof5's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    C.B,Iowa(radixville)
    Posts
    23,452
    Country: United States

    Re: Question about worm born parasites.

    I don't think it's possible to guarantee your snakes won't get parasites from a wild food source.
    It's just less of a risk than some other foods.
    Steve
    5 awesome kids!
    Emmy, Kale, Molly, Gabby, Hailee
    They are not just snakes. They're garter snakes.
    http://www.youtube.com/user/thamnophis14?feature=mhee

  6. #6
    matris ut plures Mommy2many's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Danbury, CT
    Posts
    2,953
    Country: United States

    Re: Question about worm born parasites.

    I'm sure your snakes will be fine. Many of us go out and hunt our own worms and slugs. Most importantly, get them from an area free of pesticides and contaminates. That is deadlier to them.
    Le Ann

    "Research shows that if you're afraid of spiders, you are more likely to find one in your bedroom. I'm really afraid of Johnny Depp."

  7. #7
    "First shed In Progress"
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Chelsea MA
    Posts
    90
    Country: United States

    Re: Question about worm born parasites.

    My yard should be fine then. I also occasionally find slugs and a lot of snails. And soon I'll be going quahogging and I'm told they can eat clams as well. Since I eat those raw I doubt the snake will have a problem with them.

    I'll probably get some pictures of the snake and the worms that I find when it arrives.
    when I was little they called me the snake man... as I was usually carrying around a bucket full of brown snakes.

  8. #8
    matris ut plures Mommy2many's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Danbury, CT
    Posts
    2,953
    Country: United States

    Re: Question about worm born parasites.

    Snakes eat clams? Never heard that one. Anyone else have any info on that? I was about to get us some clams today but the store only had 1 small bag. Just curious.
    Le Ann

    "Research shows that if you're afraid of spiders, you are more likely to find one in your bedroom. I'm really afraid of Johnny Depp."

  9. #9
    "First shed In Progress"
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Chelsea MA
    Posts
    90
    Country: United States

    Re: Question about worm born parasites.

    I read that somewhere.. I've been reading all sorts of things over the past week in preparation. I seriously doubt they naturally eat them since they'd never be able to get the shell open and would probably get eaten by seagulls in the process but they are a kind of mollusk like snails and slugs and they fairly nutritious and safe to eat raw if properly harvested and fresh. My grandmother lives on the cape and she usually has me and my father go out to get a whole bucket of them when we visit. We usually end up having so many that we freeze some of them for chowder.

    Certainly something I intend to try even if my source was bad.
    when I was little they called me the snake man... as I was usually carrying around a bucket full of brown snakes.

  10. #10
    Mr Thamnophis ssssnakeluvr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    Posts
    4,637
    Country: United States

    Re: Question about worm born parasites.

    clams aren't a natural source of food for garters.... wouldn't feed them myself...probably won't take them they don't eat snails eaither due to the shells.

Similar Threads

  1. first 2008 garters born
    By jewel-dragons in forum Breeding
    Replies: 25
    Last Post: 03-30-2008, 04:09 AM
  2. also hypo's born :-)
    By jewel-dragons in forum The Garter Snake Lounge
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 03-29-2008, 07:16 AM
  3. Parasites in feeder fish?
    By Lori P in forum General Talk
    Replies: 22
    Last Post: 09-17-2007, 11:54 AM
  4. Newly Born Nerodia
    By Ameivaboy in forum The Garter Snake Lounge
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 07-18-2007, 04:00 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •