NO garters here

[stew]

Well, I don't have a Garter I have a Ribbon and a Northern Brown. HOpe that is OK-- they seem to have similar needs as the garters-- esp the ribbon.

My son found them in the wild.

Turns out the brown was pregnant and gave birth yesterday to a half dozen live and maybe 4 stills. Had not considered the "keeping the local population healthy" until reading here so definitely will be releasing all but one for that reason-- plus hella lot easier feeding one pinhead as opposed to 6.

Found the forum looking for how to feed the little ones and more importantlyly, how urgent to feed right away-- looks like there is no panic-- gave some chopped worm this am and a few of them were working on them. (Mom chowed down 2 leaf worms and 3 slugs this am-my wife was hammering on me last night to feed her saying : "I wanted a Whopper after I delivered-- that mom is HUNGRY!" ) In fact Dirt grabbed one of the worms right out of my hand as I was setting it in front of her. Oh, my Son named the Northern Brown Snake- "Dirt" Dirt Brown

Man that Ribbon can do the number on a frog and much larger one than I expected it could eat-- my son stuck one in figuring it would add to the menagerie and within seconds it was head first in Rosey the Ribbon Snake's maw -- screaming for its life I gave her two more decent sized ones this am to fill her up and keep her from eating any of the newborns-- hell maybe she ate a few already-- though they were crawling all over her last eve and she lunged at the hoppers this am, so I doubt it. I wonder if she will eat toads-- our lot is lousy with tiny ones this year due to very wet spring.

Anyway, glad I found this place and look fwd to interacting. Big question though-- where do you folks get the "pinkies"?

Stew

[jitami]

Welcome Stew! Congrats on the newborns! They're sooo tiny aren't they? If you're going to keep one, be sure to keep one that's eating worms for you already Will make life a lot easier! Pinkies can be found at Petco and most "mom & pop" pet stores. I put an ad out on the local craigslist looking for suppliers and found a couple of local people who breed mice and sell them. It's much less expensive for me to go that route. I would try just one for now though. Your ribbon might take to them, but I wouldn't be suprised if neither of your snakes ends up liking them. You can also try cut up pieces of fish fillet like trout, tillapia and the like. Good luck!

[zooplan]

Ribbon Snakes are the same genus,Thamnophis, just one (or two) of about 30 species.
So welcome to the forum, Stew !

[anji1971]

Well, I don't have a Garter I have a Ribbon and a Northern Brown. HOpe that is OK-- they seem to have similar needs as the garters-- esp the ribbon.



Man that Ribbon can do the number on a frog and much larger one than I expected it could eat-- my son stuck one in figuring it would add to the menagerie and within seconds it was head first in Rosey the Ribbon Snake's maw -- screaming for its life I gave her two more decent sized ones this am to fill her up and keep her from eating any of the newborns-- hell maybe she ate a few already-- though they were crawling all over her last eve and she lunged at the hoppers this am, so I doubt it. I wonder if she will eat toads-- our lot is lousy with tiny ones this year due to very wet spring.

This concerns me a bit. It sounds like you have both snakes, as well as the neonates, all together in one enclosure?
I would definitely separate at least the babies, otherwise you may not have any left to raise! That ribbon sounds like a good eater!
Best wishes with the little guys, and hope to see pictures if possible soon.

*The ribbons are also Thamnophis, so you're very much a part of the club!
And there are lots of Dekay's slithering around our forum too!
So welcome, and enjoy.

[infernalis]

Yes, the ribbon will eat the baby Dekayi snakes in a flash,
Heck my ribbons try to eat each other!

Welcome!!

Need any help with the Dekayi babies, PM or email me. There is a button on my web site below.

[GartersRock]

Welcome!!! Ribbons and browns are loved here as well!!

[crzy_kevo]

welcome to the forum stew
show us some pics when you can

[drache]

welcome to the forum, Stew
looks like you're all set with help
enjoy your snakes and congrats

[Elliot]

Welcome to the forum, your ribbon snake should take pinkies without any trouble. Just rub a frog all over one to make it smell like a frog and you should have it eating pinkies without any trouble.

[Sid]

Welcome to the forum, Stew. As for your question on the mice... I get mine from Mice Direct. They are an hours drive from me and very reasonable on the pricing.