Why is my Eden still little?

[Alicia_kay_47]

Eden is my checkered garter that is wild caught from a friends yard. He was pretty small (6 in) when I got him in August 2011. I've had one other garter at age 12, his name was Alice, and he lived a full, healthy life on Earth worms. My snake Eden eats Earth worms, but since he is so tiny, I don't know how much to feed him. It is now febuary and he hasn't gotten the size I think he should be. I mean, he has grown longer and a bit wider, but not by much. He doesn't seem sick or anything, and he had his first shed this week. (So proud!) I feed him once a week....sometimes once every two weeks. If this is not enough, keep in mind I am not an ignorant monster, my last snake went just fine with that, so I don't have much to go off of which is why I am here. Also, can he eat wax worms, grubs, or spikes? He doesn't like them, but is it safe? I know this should have gone in the food section, but it pertains to a couple other things as well. Like...is it physically necessary for him to go through hibranation? I wasn't sure how to replicate hybrination seeing as how his home is nice and cozy with his hidey-hole/heat lamp. Um...why doesn't he like me yet? My last snake literally felt like he was in love with me, as he escaped several times, even got outside, but never went where I couldn't find him because he didn't want to leave home, just explore. And he never,ever bit me. But Eden hates being picked up, bites anyone he sees, and sometimes I feel cruel for just not letting him free. Will he warm up to me over time?Wow, lots of questions...

[EasternGirl]

Okay...well, first of all...if he was 6 inches when you found him...then I am guessing...just guessing, mind you...that he was less than 4 mos old. I'm basing that on my albino checkered who was four mos when I got him and probably 8 inches. But again, I'm guessing. So, let's assume he is now about 10 mos old...less than a year...and how big is he now? Babies need to eat more than adults..and I feed my adults more than you are feeding this little guy. Babies need to eat every 2-3 days. I feed my adults every 4-5 days...although they could survive up to a month without food...and many people feed once every 7-10 days. But babies need to be fed a lot because they are growing. If he is only eating worms, I would be giving him half a worm every 2 days. But I also always recommend feeding a varied diet of pinkies and fish fillet in addition to worms if you can. He cannot eat wax worms or grubs...I don't know what a spike is but I know that nightcrawlers are the only safe worms I am aware of. It is not physically necessary for him to go through brumation (hibernation). Some wild caught snakes do not adjust to captivity well. If he hasn't adjusted to you in 6 mos, I don't know if he will. He could still warm up to you. Instead of trying to pick him up, take it slower with him. Try putting your hand in his enclosure and letting him get used to the idea of you, of your scent. Let him come to you. Little steps. With skiddish snakes it sometimes takes a while and you have to let them get used to you in very small steps. I have two wild caught easterns who still do not like to be held...I have had one for over a year and one for 10 mos...and they are just now to the point in which they do not flee when I put my hand in the enclosure. But they do trust me a bit more each day...as long as I take things at their pace.

[ConcinusMan]

Where's this friend's yard located? Are you sure this is a checkered? I say this because if it was found in MI, it's not a checkered. Most likely it's an eastern garter with a checker pattern. Checkered garters are native to the Southwestern U.S. in arid to semi-arid climates.

If this is a small and young snake, once a week feeding of worms is hardly adequate so growth would be very slow. If you're feeding it just worms then feed it every day, or nearly every day.

If this really is a "baby" checkered, they grow best when fed chopped pinky mice at least 3 times a week, and kept warm (80's). They should about double in size in their first 6 months and double again by 1 year old but that varies.

If it's a wild caught snake that is not eating well or growing fast, and remains nervous, then it probably just isn't adapting well or the environment isn't right. Some WC snakes just won't adapt well and should be released.

[chris-uk]

Am I the only person to have read that this snake is a baby and has only just shed for the first time since August? And to think that something isn't right? Even our Bethan with her spinal problem, lack of eating, and two retained sheds (possibly a third retained this week), has shed more frequently.

You said it hasnt grown as large as you think it should have, but can you tell us how long and how much it does weigh so we have some idea as to whether it's growing normally based on the wide ranging experience of keepers here. One checkered we gave to friends was born on 2 August and was 45cm and I think 35g by Christmas - she ate well twice a week.

As has been said already, feeding and baby worms every one or two weeks isn't enough, and will be one reason why it isn't growing quickly.

[ConcinusMan]

Am I the only person to have read that this snake is a baby and has only just shed for the first time since August? And to think that something isn't right?

No, you're not. Something is wrong, and I think that Alicia knows it too, or she wouldn't have asked.

[EasternGirl]

Yes...good catch, Chris. I didn't notice she said first shed the first time I read that. That is odd. I have had Hermes since he was 4 mos...end of November...and he has shed twice for me already. I do think the small size could be attributed to the small amount of food...but I am also interested to know the actual size of the snake. Pics would be great. Also...has sex been confirmed?

[Alicia_kay_47]

Thank you so much for the help! He is growing, I have not starved him, but now I can give him adequate nutrition now that I know to expand his diet/ get calcium in him. To Chris UK, I never have had a garter shed that much. But both mine were wc and kept in captivity, so maybe that is why...mind they were both in very healthy condition. I think the whole me not feeding enough may have been due to a fear of over-feeding and causing harm, but I'm glad he hasn't been deprived of health due to my lack of know-how. Thank you to all.

[Alicia_kay_47]

I call Eden a him. He just seems like a boy...Stubborn, bossy. I bet I'm wrong. Hah! And I've had him for about four months, and who knows..he may have shed before I got him. So, if you've had your snake for four months, and he shed twice, mine sheddiong once doesn't freak me out. He was a wee wee little baby when I got him. Maybe 6 in was a bad guestimate. I post pics tomorrow. Thank you!

[Alicia_kay_47]

"Something is wrong and I think Alicia knows it too or she would have asked". Erm...he's not sick or dying. Just a little mal-nurished. If I knew something was wrong ..I'd take him to my vet, not sit on the computer asking questions,lol. He is fine...just a little stunted. Keep in mind he was very very small when I got him. Gosh, now I NEED to post pics. He's healthy enough, just needs a few square meals and some advi for his silly owner.

[ConcinusMan]

Sounds like Eden was probably just born late last summer. A well growing baby garter will shed at least every 5-6 weeks, sometimes more often, and will eat every day or about every other day. A change in diet and/or environment / feeding frequency is probably in order, but some baby snakes just fail to thrive for no apparent reason.