Making New Friends

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Have you tried putting him in the empty container withe slugs?

[Light of Dae]

Tried Pinkie mouse chunks yet? Tried hemostat/tong feeding?

[Lisa4john]

Good morning all. I tried yesterday to offer him a slug, and he seemed very interested, but the dang thing was just too big, they are huge around here. So I took a pinkie and scented it with the slug and left him with it for like 8 hours in an empty container, no go. I put the pinkie in the cage food dish hoping one of them would eat it last night and no go there either, it's still there. SIGH...

Yes, I have tried the tongs a few times, he is always backing up from it and acting afraid of it. I don't know how long to keep trying... I really don't want to lose him, we are quite attached to him, but I want what's best for him in the end. :'-(

[Lisa4john]

I was thinking, if I separated them and brumated Sam for awhile, but not Turq, do you think it would get Sam to eat? And would they be able to get back together and be best buds again? They are so close now, I'd rather he just eat without separating them, just another idea. If so, how long, how cold, I really want to help this lil guy succeed. Thanks

[Light of Dae]

Probably two or three weeks at 10-13'C should be about right...

Did you try just pinkie mouse chopped up? Some times the smell of the blood really works for them.

[Lisa4john]

I have not tried cutting a pinkie up yet, it really turns my stomach and I'd hate to have to always have to do that to get him to eat. My family would absolutely not help with that either. We have had pet rats, hamster and gerbils so to cut these things up really makes me heart sick too. I will have to try it with all the family gone if I can, and I don't know if he would even eat it then. We offered him one scented with slug and one scented with frog yesterday with no luck. Then I caught couple frogs where we caught them yesterday and offered them but that was rejected too, by both Sam and Turq. Thanks again for all the help and suggestions. He is just so stubborn. I put in some worms for Turq again today, but he was not interested again. I think I'll just leave him alone for a few days and try again after that.

[Lisa4john]

Ok, so I finally got the stomach to cut up a pinkie to offer to Sage/Sam, I didn't want to leave anything out I didn't try (all the family were gone to school/work). He was with it for over 2 hours, and I tried for probably 30 minutes with the tongs to encourage him to eat. He was not having it. I was hoping, and praying he would go for it, but not even that was enticing to him. At least it didn't go totally to waste... Sammi ate a few pieces of it today so I was happy for that. I have no place in the house that would be 45-55 degrees F to try to brumate him, has anyone used a small fridge dedicated to this set higher than normal use, of course? Any other ideas? Thanks again.

[Invisible Snake]

I believe Jeff has, this is a picture from his website, Garter Snake Morph

[ProXimuS]

Hmm....Now where did I put the leftovers....?

[Lisa4john]

Thanks, I have done so much soul searching and pondering and praying about this. What it boils down to is this... Am I doing it for me or them? The answer I came up with is me. That is not the reason I should be doing it. I have grown to love these guys, they are beautiful and have taught me so much, but they are not mine. I wanted them to be, but the reality for me is, Sam won't eat, it's been over a month now, and who knows how long before that he ate last, and it is not best from HIM for me to keep trying. Turq is eating, but I don't want to separate them. They mean too much to me, and I feel it is best they stay together. I love them more than I want them. This is my last chance, I feel it is now that they need to go home, find their den and hunker down for the winter. I know that not all W/C will settle into domestic life well, and although they have never musked, bit, struck or shown any signs of aggression I think it is more cuz they are a sweet natured species than cuz they are settling into a happy life here with us. I am grateful for the time we have had with them and all that they have given me. Thanks again for all your advise and help and encouragement. I will be getting more someday soon. I love you Sam and Turq, God be with you and keep you safe. :'-(

I believe Jeff has, this is a picture from his website, Garter Snake Morph