a couple of questions...

[Montys_Mom]

Hi all

I am new here and have a small wild caught garter that I adore. I never thought i would ever say that about a snake, but he is a cute and endearing little guy.

Do garters or any snake form bonds with a human? I seem to be the only one in the house that he responds to or is comfortable being held by. Which is why my son left him in my care when he moved out. I can talk to him and he will react in a positive manner to my voice, sometimes even coming to the front of his tank to be close. Does not respond this way with anyone else.

I would like to get him on pinkies, but right now he prefers rosy red minnows. Tried worms, would have nothing to do with them, tried crickets and he ended up having one as a tank mate until it finally died. He is an active hunter, voracious eater, and will actually lay in his bowl and pout at me until I feed him...regardless if he ate two days ago or not (and this is not him eating just one small fish mind you). He seems happy, healthy, active, and is growing like crazy so am I safe to assume his diet is okay?

Do snakes HAVE to hibernate? I have had him for over a year and I have never let him do so. I don't want to shorten his lifespan or make him miserable.

Anything else I should know to keep him happy?

Thanks!
Lori
Sorry this is not a great shot of him...he is not too fond of my camera.

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard.

Do garters or any snake form bonds with a human? I seem to be the only one in the house that he responds to or is comfortable being held by.

Not in the sense you're probably thinking of, but they do most likely differentiate between people and they do remember bad experiences.

I can talk to him and he will react in a positive manner to my voice, sometimes even coming to the front of his tank to be close. Does not respond this way with anyone else.

Highly doubtful that your voice has anything to do with it, snakes are for all intents and purposes deaf. They can pick up vibrations through the ground, but not through air.

I would like to get him on pinkies, but right now he prefers rosy red minnows. Tried worms, would have nothing to do with them, tried crickets and he ended up having one as a tank mate until it finally died. He is an active hunter, voracious eater, and will actually lay in his bowl and pout at me until I feed him...regardless if he ate two days ago or not (and this is not him eating just one small fish mind you). He seems happy, healthy, active, and is growing like crazy so am I safe to assume his diet is okay?

Crickets are definitely a waste of time, they don't belong to garters' diets. Rosy reds aren't the best choice, it contains an enzyme called thiaminase, which breaks down vitamin B1, which in the long run can cause fatal neurological problems and other problems associated with B1 deficiency.

Do snakes HAVE to hibernate? I have had him for over a year and I have never let him do so. I don't want to shorten his lifespan or make him miserable.

Not necessarily, but there are some benefits under some circumstances, such as if you intend to breed a snake, or if it stops eating.

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, Montys mom

[GarterGeek]

Welcome! What Stefan-A says is correct.

[Montys_Mom]

bought a pinkie...damn they are cute...and am now trying to convince Monty that it is good for him. He checked it out, but went back to his water bowl. I tried scenting it with a fish but he isn't falling for it. Now, should I let the little thing just lay in there and die?? or should I hide it in the freezer and try again? My hubby will snag it and try syringe feeding it if he sees it in the house (dont ask), and i have to admit I have a thing for critters so this is really really strange for me. I want to take care of the pinkie not let it "suffer" unless Monty will eat it right away. The fish never bothered me, but well mice are a bit different. I may need therapy after this!

[guidofatherof5]

bought a pinkie...damn they are cute...and am now trying to convince Monty that it is good for him. He checked it out, but went back to his water bowl. I tried scenting it with a fish but he isn't falling for it. Now, should I let the little thing just lay in there and die?? or should I hide it in the freezer and try again? My hubby will snag it and try syringe feeding it if he sees it in the house (dont ask), and i have to admit I have a thing for critters so this is really really strange for me. I want to take care of the pinkie not let it "suffer" unless Monty will eat it right away. The fish never bothered me, but well mice are a bit different. I may need therapy after this!

I'd put it in the freezer and save it for another feed time. I use pre-frozen mice so I don't have to deal with those live animal problems. Seems strange that your snake won't take it even after scenting. You might let your snake skip a meal or two and get good and hungry. Most hungry garter won't turn down anything. Once they get that taste in their brain they will remember it and take them readily.
Worms for my snakes seem to be the food of choice in that they never turn them down.
Best of luck and keep us posted.

[jitami]

Welcome I have much the same story as you, including feeding my guy nothing but rosy reds for a while. It's usually pretty easy to switch them to frozen, thawed, pinky mice or even frozen thawed fish fillets. Many people use salmon, trout, or tillapia with some reptile vitamins added to either the food or water. If you prefer to stick with live fish guppies are a much better choice. My guy wants nothing to do with fish fillets, but will happily take mice and guppies.

[guidofatherof5]

Starting at the end.
The bark can stay. I've heard of other members using peat and it seem to work fine. I've never used it. I use a compressed Aspen wood pellet. Some members use paper towels, some newspaper. I like the wood pellets since they are large and not easily ingested. Even if they are eaten they will break down into very small parts and pass through the snake.
They do like getting new things. They can also be picky about what you get. I've tried the store bought hides but my snakes like cardboard boxes. As far as the water dish dilemma goes,,give him what he wants or only give him one choice. They do love their water time.

[Mommy2many]

I agree with Steve. Any bark from outside should be baked in the oven. I have used Peat Moss, but I would maybe bake that as well. You don't want to end up with mites. For water dishes, I have used small plates used to catch water from planters ($1.50 or so at a garden center) or even the chinese take out bowls. As for hides, they do pick their favorites. Though mine all like to go under the water dish at times! Card board boxes, toilet paper rolls, broken pottery (just sand edges) all work fine. I also use the hard wood pellets and the aspen bedding. Good luck with your baby!