Snake feeding advise

[ShadowBeast]

okay aside from pinkies what is the best food for garter snakes?
I was thinking of breeding guppies in a small tank but I'm not sure if they would breed/grow fast enough.
Or maybe frozen tilapia or earthworms.
Any other options?
and how much and often do I feed the snake?
like how many guppies and how often would I need to feed the snake?

[guidofatherof5]

I think nightcrawlers are an awesome food item.
A pinky/worm diet is a very good combo in my opinion.
Can't comment on how many guppies without knowing the size of the guppies and snakes eating them.

[ShadowBeast]

I think nightcrawlers are an awesome food item.
A pinky/worm diet is a very good combo in my opinion.
Can't comment on how many guppies without knowing the size of the guppies and snakes eating them.

I don't want to feed pinkies but I hope a combo worm/fish will do.
I haven't gotten a snake yet but I assume the guppies would be adult which would 2-3 inches.
Is there a specific name to these nightcrawlers or a link to what they look like?

[nitrogen15]

Well pinkies are the most nutritionally complete. My snake accepts pre-killed and even thawed prey, so pinks aren't as much hassle as you might think. If you want to breed enough guppies you need a good setup and some fish knowledge, otherwise I'd advise against it. Frozen wild-caught trout pieces are great. I sprinkle them with a reptile vitamin powder if my snake hasn't had mice in a while.

[ShadowBeast]

Well pinkies are the most nutritionally complete. My snake accepts pre-killed and even thawed prey, so pinks aren't as much hassle as you might think. If you want to breed enough guppies you need a good setup and some fish knowledge, otherwise I'd advise against it. Frozen wild-caught trout pieces are great. I sprinkle them with a reptile vitamin powder if my snake hasn't had mice in a while.

I really don't want to go with pinkies But with the trout pieces how often would I need to feed the snake with that?(once a week,twice a week,etc)

[Invisible Snake]

I really don't want to go with pinkies But with the trout pieces how often would I need to feed the snake with that?(once a week,twice a week,etc)

If you feed your garters only trout pieces make sure to also sprinkle some reptile vitamins on it every 3rd or 4th feeding.

[guidofatherof5]

Fish only isn't nutritionally balanced. Variety is best.
I wouldn't choose fish as the only diet food source.
Just my opinion.

[EasternGirl]

I feed fish fillet to my snakes, but if you are going to go with that, I suggest buying fresh and not frozen. I always buy fresh seafood from the seafood counter at my super market and make sure it was not previously frozen. Tilapia, trout, and occasional salmon is good. Farm-raised tends to have less mercury. For an adult snake, I feed my snakes about every 5 days...enough until they get a little bulge in their stomachs. I do not feed a fish only diet however....fish only diets can lead to B1 deficiency which can be deadly for the garter. Unless you plan to supplement with B1, you should try to feed a varied diet of fish, worms, and pinkies. I get my nightcrawlers...which is the actual name of the worm...at marine/fishing stores. Are you in the U.S.?

[ShadowBeast]

If you feed your garters only trout pieces make sure to also sprinkle some reptile vitamins on it every 3rd or 4th feeding.

Yep I got some.

Fish only isn't nutritionally balanced. Variety is best.
I wouldn't choose fish as the only diet food source.
Just my opinion.

I plan to feed some earthworms as well (I just need to find a place that sells them).

I feed fish fillet to my snakes, but if you are going to go with that, I suggest buying fresh and not frozen. I always buy fresh seafood from the seafood counter at my super market and make sure it was not previously frozen. Tilapia, trout, and occasional salmon is good. Farm-raised tends to have less mercury. For an adult snake, I feed my snakes about every 5 days...enough until they get a little bulge in their stomachs. I do not feed a fish only diet however....fish only diets can lead to B1 deficiency which can be deadly for the garter. Unless you plan to supplement with B1, you should try to feed a varied diet of fish, worms, and pinkies. I get my nightcrawlers...which is the actual name of the worm...at marine/fishing stores. Are you in the U.S.?

I heard it's best to buy fresh then freeze it to kill any parasites/etc.
Is B1 the same as THIAMINE? if so the supplements I got have it.
I want to feed the snake earthworms as well.
Do you have a pic of the nightcrawlers so I can make certain I what it looks like?
Do you feed the snake earthworms/night crawlers as often as the fish? and how often for a younger snake?
And yes I'm in the USA.

[guidofatherof5]

May I ask why you don't want to feed pinkies?