Won't eat on its own

[sschind]

My wholesaler just gave me a baby eastern "flame" garter that will not eat on its own. Once you get a guppy into its mouth (or a mouse tail like I did today) it will take it down but she said she leaves guppies in the cage all the time and it never its it. It's a sibling to the melanistic easterns I have but its maybe only twice as big as a newborn. I haven't tried worms yet as the only ones I can get right now are the leaf worms from the bait shop. I was wondering if it could have a problem with its sense of smell. It flicks it's tongue but just seem to be phased by the presence of food. Any suggestions.

[abcat1993]

I would definitely try worms and pinkies first. Who knows, maybe it'll like pinkies more than fish.

[sschind]

I would definitely try worms and pinkies first. Who knows, maybe it'll like pinkies more than fish.

Its way too small for pinkies, the mouse tail was even pushing it. He didn't go for that either so I don't think pinkies are it. Does anyone know if larger sporting goods shops (gander mt. etc.) might carry safe worms. All the local bait shops have the leaf worms and red wigglers. They do have nightcrawlers but even the smallest ones are twice as big as the snake. I could try chopping one up I suppose.

[GarterGuy]

One thing I found that can work is giving it the guppies outside of the water dish. Sometimes the sight of a little fish flopping all over the place gets them interested. Don't know what substate you're using, but make sure it's something that won't get all over the guppy, like paper towels or such. Also try very small guppies....I know with my T.ordiniodes, one of them would pick up bigger guppies and then not know what to do with them. The smaller ones that pretty much just fit in his mouth entirely, he'd eat with out any problems. Hope this helps...babies can be such a challenge....he acutally just might come along on his own with time?

---Roy

[Cazador]

Hey Steve,
The moving/flopping fish sounds like a good idea. If it's sense of smell is impaired, then maybe the visual stimulus will help. Does the snake come over to investigate the smell?

Otherwise, the next time you're having steak for dinner, try cutting off a thin strip before you cook it. Then try introducing the meat to your snake. Put a bit of calcium powder on one end, and see if your snake will swallow that, like it does to the guppies. The meat is more nutritious, and will last in it's stomach a bit longer. It may help your snake grow faster, as well, without having to feed it as often. A bit of variation is always a good idea, too. Maybe when it's larger, it will eat better. It's also possible that due to the intense inbreeding among flames that you've just been given an unfit snake that'll take a lot of pampering.
Rick

[Snaky]

My concinnus are eating now and the flapping fish did the trick, so that's certainly worth a try. If they take the flapping fish, you can try and give other things, scented with the fish.

[Markus18]

one of my parietalis dont eat dead fish.just when he jump then she goes and get him!

[abcat1993]

I don't really remember Gander Mountain much, but I'm pretty sure that Gander Mountain, Bass Pro, Dicks, etc. don't have nightcrawlers (although I've never really looked).

[CrazyHedgehog]

Otherwise, the next time you're having steak for dinner, try cutting off a thin strip before you cook it. Then try introducing the meat to your snake.

Can you really feed beef to garters? I can get that cheaper than trout or mice!!

[sschind]

Hey Steve,
The moving/flopping fish sounds like a good idea. If it's sense of smell is impaired, then maybe the visual stimulus will help. Does the snake come over to investigate the smell?

Otherwise, the next time you're having steak for dinner, try cutting off a thin strip before you cook it. Then try introducing the meat to your snake. Put a bit of calcium powder on one end, and see if your snake will swallow that, like it does to the guppies. The meat is more nutritious, and will last in it's stomach a bit longer. It may help your snake grow faster, as well, without having to feed it as often. A bit of variation is always a good idea, too. Maybe when it's larger, it will eat better. It's also possible that due to the intense inbreeding among flames that you've just been given an unfit snake that'll take a lot of pampering.
Rick

Steak, what's steak? Will Ramen Noodles work?.

Like I said, at least I think I said, this is a sibling to the melanistic easterns I have and they are pounding scented fuzzys twice a week. They are supposed to be het for flame, I am not down with the genetics of the different garter snake morphs. Do you know if melanism is a reccesive trait, how about the flame?

Thanks for the tips though, I'll keep trying.