Help!!

[xXMapanareXx]

I have no idea how to take care of the garter snake that I caught last Saturday. We looked on a bunch of websites to see what they eat, but he hasn't been eating what we're giving him/her...
Can anyone tell me what else to give the snake? So far, I've been giving it minnows, but it seems like the snake doesn't know what they are. Him/Her is small, less than two feet maybe a foot and few inches. I've never had a snake before, so I have no idea what I'm doing... I love it so much though, so if you can help me, that would be great. I've read that sometimes when you catch them you should let them go because it's not good for them, is this true...? I would like to keep it, but I'd rather do what's best for it, please help.

[Snake lover 3-25]

go to a pet store and get some of their dead minnows... you can try baby toads.... pieces of frozen or fresh talapia, salmon or trout... also try to get some baby mice.... gertie tried baby rabbit legs with great results... also try to increase the temp and humidity.... it gets them going.... how long has it been since it last ate???

[jeanette]

hey there and welcome, i'd try some earthworms just to get them going.

[Snake lover 3-25]

o lol wow how could i forget those????

[jeanette]

o lol wow how could i forget those????

lol its early in the week yet, im still suffering from the weekend

[xXMapanareXx]

I think I have a Northwestern garter. I have live and dead minnows, and I don't know the last time he/she ate because I caught it on Saturday afternoon. There were at least twenty snakes in the area where I caught it.
I've got a couple pictures, but I need to figure out how to post them. It is mostly brown, with a yellow stripe going straight down it's back and one on each side. In between the yellow, it has sort of a checkered pattern trading off between red and brown. Underneath its belly its sort of a milky blue with speckles of orange every now and then and some dark blue. Its tounge is red, but the fork is a dark blue color (almost black). She shed on Sunday night. The picture that is my Avatar is him/her, I don't know if you can see it, but that is her.

[Garter_Gertie]

I see you're from CA. Do you know what type of garter you have? There are a couple in CA that are not allowed to be kept in captivity. Can you give us a picture; at the very least an excellent description?

[crzy_kevo]

everything they have said is good to try and start them off especially the worms my garter gobbles them up quick

[Snake lover 3-25]

i think i'm still suffering from the 6 hrs i just worked... i'm not used to it yet.... 2 more hrs to go

BTW WELCOME to a WONDERFUL forum!!! you came to the right place!

[crzy_kevo]

oh geeze i forgot to welcome you
and this forum is the only place to go for garter snake enthusiasts

dont forget to post some pics of your new friend for us all to see