Newbie found gravid(?) garter

[ssssnakeluvr]

it can take up to 2 weeks or so before some garters get used to captivity and eat....

[TwistidMutations]

it can take up to 2 weeks or so before some garters get used to captivity and eat....

And sometimes even longer.she will eat when she feels comfortable.No worries.And welcome to the site

[Seere121]

If she takes the fish, you could always scent a worm or a mouse pink with the goldfish so she will think its a fish and will probably eat it up. After a few times they usually go with the new diet without needing it to be scented anymore. Hope this is helpful, and good save!

[Sid]

Nice Garter and it does appear gravid. Welcome to the forum.

[patcuz]

I'm going to try and keep her until she births. (What's the proper word?) Don't know if I can do the pinks: the same quality in me that picked a snake up and "saved" it for the comfort of a proper birthing experience, has a bit of a problem of handling pinks. Remember...I have a bunch of furry, yappy little dogs that I even dress up from time to time.
Warming? As in microwave? We'll see...at least I know she's not going to starve on me, she ate 2 goldfish right away. I'll try other crawly things. The worm I tried drowned by now. Maybe a big nightcrawler will work. Or scraps from the seafood restaurant...
Next big question please...the mesh top I am using was last used for a larger snake. A baby could probably get through. My plan is to watch the miracle of live birth, then promptly release all to my garden. Is it likely this momentous occasion may occur at 2 am, and 40 baby garters climb up the side of the 20 gal tank, through the mesh and into the silverware drawer? Sorry if this is sounding so dramatic here, but I am trying to cover all bases...

[guidofatherof5]

Had to throw this in.
Babies are a whole new ball game, especially for a first time keeper. By shear numbers and needs they can be difficult.
You will need to separate them out from the mother, have food in there size. Another heat source.
They are little beauties and great to have around(I should know) but be prepared.
Good luck and thanks for saving the mother.
Your situation is refreshing and hopeful.

[ssssnakeluvr]

Next big question please...the mesh top I am using was last used for a larger snake. A baby could probably get through. My plan is to watch the miracle of live birth, then promptly release all to my garden. Is it likely this momentous occasion may occur at 2 am, and 40 baby garters climb up the side of the 20 gal tank, through the mesh and into the silverware drawer? Sorry if this is sounding so dramatic here, but I am trying to cover all bases...

babies can stick to the glass when they are wet....chances are nothing will happen, but...better safe than sorry....

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, Patti

[Snake lover 3-25]

just thought i should throw this in there...... sometimes gravid females will not adjust well to captivity and may chose to abort her litter due to stress, (meaning that she could feel uncomfortable enough to not deliver the litter, and if she delays long enough the babies could parish) it happened last year..... and a whole litter was lost, i don't know how often it happens but just know that it has happened before. certainly not blaming anyone who has lost litters, just trying to prevent more from being lost..........

[KITKAT]

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone. OK- I'll nix the goldfish, but she didn't like the worm I dug up. I'll figure something out. I will amend her tank setup per the "care of" guide. Now, I just have to figure out how to upload a picture!

Try one of the following fish from the grocery store... these are safe species to feed garters:

Salmon
Trout
Tilapia

These should be cut into strips that are not wider than 3/4 of the width of the snake's head, and lengths that make swallowing quick and easy.

Some species of garters are more heavily fish eaters, while other species prefer worms. If she is a fish eater, you can take a small amount of salmon, mince it very small, and take other food items, such as pinkie mice, strips of beef heart, and other assorted, and stir them around in a container of the minced salmon. This is called "scenting" food, and most fish lovers will learn to eat items that are scented.

Garters do best with a variety of foods, so you can fish scent all the different items you want to feed, and rotate the items to get variety of nutrition for your snake.

If you search the archives, you will find other posts about food items that work, and how to present them.