Thamnophis Sauritus

[Ctah_Lu]

The tittle says it all. What are your opinions about the T. Sauritus?, are they hard to keep, feed, care? or all the opposite.
I hope that you share your experiences with this garter, feel free to post pictures and give advice about this beautiful garter.

[guidofatherof5]

I only have one ribbon T. p. orarius (Gulf coast ribbon snake).
Mine is jumpy and can be a little picky with different food item.

[Greg'sGarters]

They are definitely jumpy. They do not like human interaction. Often times they readily accept Rosy-Red minnows. Just leave it in their water dish and they will eat it. They are very hardy, but give them a hiding place. The larger the water bowl the better, as I often catch Eastern Ribbon Snakes near water (I know they're not the same but they behave in a very similar manner). If you have any other questions, PM me. Hope this helps!

[guidofatherof5]

They are definitely jumpy. They do not like human interaction. Often times they readily accept Rosy-Red minnows. Just leave it in their water dish and they will eat it. They are very hardy, but give them a hiding place. The larger the water bowl the better, as I often catch Eastern Ribbon Snakes near water (I know they're not the same but they behave in a very similar manner). If you have any other questions, PM me. Hope this helps!

Don't make a habit of Rosy minnows as thiaminase is an issue. Scenting other food items with rosy minnows is acceptable.
My ribbon takes fish scented pinkies and takes unscented turkey heart. She also takes fish scented night crawlers.
I'm guessing I could use turkey heart to scent things also.

Thiaminase is discussed in the care sheet.
Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet

Thiaminase Problems

Some fish contain an enzyme that's called thiaminase. This enzyme blocks the absorption of vitamin B1 ( also called thiamine). So be careful not to feed your garter snake fish that contains thiaminase or he will develop a lack of vitamin B1, which can/will lead eventually to death if not treated. A good list with fish containing thiaminase can be found page1 and page2. A very good and large article about this can be found at THIAMIN, THIAMINASE, & GOLDFISH

There are 2 solutions to tackle this problem: - Don't feed anything that contains thiaminase. - Heat everything to above 80°C for at least 5 minutes will destroy the thiaminase. But cooking also destroys valuable nutrients. This method is not advised unless it's the only thing available at the moment.

Supplementing a fish that contains thiaminase with thiamine is not an acceptable remedy to the situation, seeing as it is unknown what levels of Thiamine are safe/unsafe, as well as how much is needed to overcome the potent effects of thiaminase. There are better options out there.

[Greg'sGarters]

Oh, ok. I didn't know that Rosy Reds had thiaminase. I knew that goldfish had them but not rosy reds. Do you think he will take a piece of an earthworm? I'm going to try giving him a pinkie.

[snake man]

I bet that you have a good chance with earthworms.

[Greg'sGarters]

I just assist-fed him a pinkie. He seemed to like it. Unscented too! Now he's just laying there under his half log sleeping, with a big old lump in him.

[thamneil]

I'm a bit late on this thread but just found it now. Haven't kept sauritus but I do have a proximus. She started off only eating love feeder fish. I now have her taking fish pieces, unscented chicken heart and liver, and now even UNSCENTED mice! In my opinion, the biggest thing was gaining the snakes trust. She is more than willing to come out and crawl all over me. I think that being housed with my other big females helped her take to a wider variety of food. She was more willing to try when the others were feeding on these items.

Asist feeding is a useful tool, but I wouldn't reccomend it in this situation. Gain his trust and go from there. They aren't as crazy as people make them out to be.