feeding baby garters

[snakehill]

Hey, I am fairly new to this site and this is my first post. I recently recieved my first baby garter. I got him on thursday and fed him for the first time yesterday (Sunday) He ate 2 small earthworms and I was very happy that he ate! I have a few questions that I hope someone can answer. I plan on offering fish fillet for his next meal, do you offer the skin too or do you cut it off? Also I've read that slugs are a good food source and I have alot of them in my backyard. They are tannish in color. Are there any types of slugs that you shouldn't feed? Thanks

[RedSidedSPR]

Don't feed too many slugs... not sure why but you want to limit those.

I feed mine (until pinkies, hopefully) feeder guppies and small earthworms.

As long as it's the right kind of fillet, i think that would work, although there's better foods for babies.

The best are small earthworms, chopped nightcrawlers, pinky parts, and GUPPIES.

Guppies are my favorite to feed. When they're live, they flop aroind,, it's awesome watching them go for them, snatch it out of the water or your hand, and take it down. I think it's there favorite too (at least my snakes)

[guidofatherof5]

Welcome to the forum.
Do you know which garter snake you have?
I don't suggest you use any out of country fish.
The fresher the better.
Salmon/tilapia/trout.
Pinky or pinky parts are very good and those earthworms you've been feeding are good food also.
Here's a link to the care sheet.
Garter Snake Care Sheet - Caresheets

[snakehill]

I just got a red-sided het from Scott F. He was born 5/08. I have had every other snake you can name but this is my first garter. They have always been my favorite. I have read every care sheet I could find on the web so I know petty much what they should and shouldn't eat (no red wigglers etc.) but some recommend one thing while others don't so it's confusing at times. Scott told me he was eating feeder guppies but I'm having troble finding them in my area. I'm really looking forward to cutting up pinkies (yech!)

[RedSidedSPR]

Scott told me he was eating feeder guppies but I'm having troble finding them in my area. I'm really looking forward to cutting up pinkies (yech!)

Ask him how they taste

I'm really looking forward to cutting up pinkies (yech!)

I know it's nasty, just make sure you do it when it's frozen if you don't want hte mess

[kibakiba]

If the slugs put out a thick or yellow slime, I'd stay away from it. If it's hard to get off your hands after picking it up, it can possibly suffocate your snake. I had this happen with my snake Ember, luckily, I got the slime out of his mouth.

[d_virginiana]

We've had cats actually almost choke on the slime from those slugs; I can only imagine how hard it'd be for a snake to get one down ... Nevermind why cats living in the middle of rodent/frog/songbird central choose to go after SLUGS.

[kibakiba]

My cat brought me a chewed up giant night crawler before....

[snakehill]

I think I'll stay away from the slugs! I offered him salmon fillet this morning and he latched onto a piece then spit it out. I gave him three small earthworms and he only ate one. I guess I'll have to keep looking for feeder guppies. Thanks to everyone that responded. I've been reading your posts for the last few months and I've learned alot! I feel like I know all of you.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Everyone seems to forget silversides! They can be bough frozen at many pet stores and are nutritionally superior due to being a whole fish! they are thiaminase free and are a clean source of food.