Post any feeding tips (needed for WC adult)

[Calift]

The dog-injured garter is still with me, and has yet to eat. It's been three weeks. I've offered f/t pinkies, rat pups, and fresh worms. I also have mealworms available and can try to catch any other native insects outside.
I'm willing to try a fish recipe too, though I doubt he's eaten fish in the past.


I've never had a garter not eat for so long for me- any tips on how to coax him to eat? His tank is spacious, and the proper temps/humidity.

[Calift]

Oh, and the snake is otherwise normal and active. Injuries are looking the same, as he has not shed yet.

[Tyrel26]

put some live dace minnows in the water dish or some live tadpoles and just leave him alone for a while. That usually works for me.

[infernalis]

Please NO insects.... Tadpoles or newts will usually get a feeding response.

Garters do not eat insects.

[Tyrel26]

NEWTS??? Ive been trying to find just 1 and you have enough to feed a snake? lol I wanted one as a pet

[infernalis]

NEWTS??? Ive been trying to find just 1 and you have enough to feed a snake? lol I wanted one as a pet

I am spoiled, I own several acres of swampy wetlands, so these food items are plentiful.

[charles parenteau]

Frogs ,toad,worm ,fish are the only food for wild adult garter snake!!!rodent are not in their diet!...

[Stefan-A]

Frogs ,toad,worm ,fish are the only food for wild adult garter snake!!!rodent are not in their diet!...

They are, if we're talking about T. sirtalis and T. elegans, or some of the other generalists.

[Jeff B]

Yeah I would agree, many adults of many species/subspecies of garters will eat rodents if they happen across a nest of babies or youngsters in the wild, granted they aren't likely to subdue an adult mouse although I have heard of that happening as well with a captive radix I believe. Frogs, toads, fish, worms and other amphibians make up the majority of the diets but you can't completely discount mice as a natural prey item.

[guidofatherof5]

Yeah I would agree, many adults of many species/subspecies of garters will eat rodents if they happen across a nest of babies or youngsters in the wild, granted they aren't likely to subdue an adult mouse although I have heard of that happening as well with a captive radix I believe. Frogs, toads, fish, worms and other amphibians make up the majority of the diets but you can't completely discount mice as a natural prey item.

I know that my large females(radix) would take a live or dead mouse. The fight would be on.
I would never try a live one for fear one of my girls would get injured.

I would think that my suburban radixes have ample opportunities to get young mice. I've had wild caught radixes refuse fish but take pinkies in a heartbeat. No scenting, just pinkies.