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  1. #1
    "Second shed, A Success"
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    Won't eat on its own

    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.

  2. #2
    Old and wise snake abcat1993's Avatar
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    Re: Won't eat on its own

    I would definitely try worms and pinkies first. Who knows, maybe it'll like pinkies more than fish.
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  3. #3
    "Second shed, A Success"
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    Re: Won't eat on its own

    Quote Originally Posted by abcat1993 View Post
    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.

  4. #4
    Brother Snake GarterGuy's Avatar
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    Re: Won't eat on its own

    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?

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  5. #5
    Former Moderator Cazador's Avatar
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    Re: Won't eat on its own

    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

  6. #6
    Truieneer, e ras apoat Snaky's Avatar
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    Re: Won't eat on its own

    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.

  7. #7
    "Preparing For First shed"
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    Re: Won't eat on its own

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

  8. #8
    Old and wise snake abcat1993's Avatar
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    Re: Won't eat on its own

    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).
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  9. #9
    "PM Boots For Custom Title" CrazyHedgehog's Avatar
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    Re: Won't eat on its own

    Quote Originally Posted by Cazador View Post
    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!!

  10. #10
    "Second shed, A Success"
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    Smile Re: Won't eat on its own

    Quote Originally Posted by Cazador View Post
    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.

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