Oregon Red-spot Not Eating

[Greg'sGarters]

I had got an Oregon Red-spot Garter who ate some goldfish once but hasn't eaten since. He refuses pinkies, goldfish, worms, guppies, and insects. Does anyone have any tips?

[guidofatherof5]

How long has it been since the last meal? NO insects. They don't eat insects.

Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet

[RedSidedSPR]

Or goldfish.

[Greg'sGarters]

He ate middle of September

[Invisible Snake]

How old is your snake?

[chris-uk]

He ate middle of September

So it's only been 2-3 weeks. I wouldn't be getting too worried just yet, even a baby garter can go longer than that without feeding. If it's an older snake you could have months before the next meal, one of my adult radix chose not to eat for 10 weeks (and I don't expect that's anywhere near a record), my other radix will often go 2-3 weeks between eating and then when he does he packs the food away.

[EasternGirl]

As Chris said, no need to get too worried just yet. I have had snakes go months without eating. I just found two wild caught easterns...have had them for over a week...they are too scared to eat yet. Try cut up nightcrawler pieces, chopped up thawed pinky mice, or chopped up fish fillet (raw) like tilapia or rainbow trout. Steve gave you a link to the caresheet...check it out and then let us know if you have any questions.

[Greg'sGarters]

I know that they can go months without eating and sometimes do. I have a problem because on November 1st, he is going into brumation. I need to put some weight on him. By the way he's breeding age 2&1/2 feet long.

[guidofatherof5]

Going into brumation underweight is dangerous.

[chris-uk]

I know that they can go months without eating and sometimes do. I have a problem because on November 1st, he is going into brumation. I need to put some weight on him. By the way he's breeding age 2&1/2 feet long.

If he's underweight and not eating you may have to accept that he's chosen a different schedule, he doesn't know he has a brumation booked in for the 1 November.
As he's an older snake and has only eaten for you once I assume he was eating for the previous owner? Can you replicate their feeding conditions? Or if he's wild caught he may not be adjusting to captivity.