Hello everyone! Last week I was given an Iowa Red Sided garter.. Sex unknown, approximately 1 year old (named Persephone) this is my first experience with garters. So I've been reading up on them here.

The previous owner fed her/him Tilapia only. The reading I did before getting P mentioned pinkie mice and earthworms as well, and the care sheet (this site) mentioned supplementing with Calcium with Vitamin D if the food source lacked bones.

I have fed this tiny little girl/guy twice now, offering small chunks of tilapia along with a couple pieces of mouse tail (from mice I have for my 4 corns) Each time she/he has readily eaten one of the tail pieces offered in addition to the fish.

Will this be enough or should I still consider some sort of vitamin D and/or calcium supplement?

The tail bits seem to be a great solution: Lots of bone with a little meat/blood, easy for me to get(I already have them), easy shape-similar to worms, though I could always snip off feet to feed if needed, This snake is small, I don't think even a small pinky could be managed without being cut up smaller.


I'm sure I will have tons of questions, but for now this is the most important to me I want to know if I'm doing the right thing for this guy. She came with her tote/furniture and feeding box so I'm guessing her skittishness is that she still senses a new place, (and being captive bred from wild caught parents)
Oh and.. is there a way to determine sex without a vet visit to be probed?

Thank you all for whatever advice you can offer.