My Story: Storeria dekayi

[Herp Derp]

So you think it's best to feed only twice a week, rather than a few slugs a day?
Right now(past 2 days) she doesn't seem to be interested in eating(she may be eating on her own time, there are slugs inside), she ignores the slugs I put in front of her. She may be tired of just slugs, so I'll have to try out some worms. There's snails in there as well but she hasnt bothered with them. I won't really be worried about her eating until a week, it's more of a mental note thing.

Does anyone keep log journals(if so handwritten or computer)?

Undercover makes a lot more sense to me.

[guidofatherof5]

No, it's just a schedule you could use. Not feeding everyday allows them to get hungry. Everyday feeding is fine but you must realize they will go off food every now and then. If that happens on a everyday feeding schedule it tend to create stress..............in us.
I think most garter would like to eat everyday but that's not how it usually works out in nature.
Hungry snakes are less likely to be picky eaters also.
Much of what you are asking will eventually turn into the keeper's personal preference after some trial and error.
There are a lot of different ways to keep them and those differences (within reason) seem to produce content thriving snakes.

[infernalis]

im excited but nevous... they are so tiny, food will be my issue

Look for tiny slugs under blades of grass early in the morning while the dew is still clinging to the ground. I found it easier to harvest them if I used a toothpick to knock them off the grass carefully into a small cup. Gather as many as you can, as the babies will consume 2-4 slugs each per feeding.

Good luck!

[slipknot711]

thnx, ill try that

[Herp Derp]

Has anyone tried feeding salamanders (Plethodon cinereus)? They are found in moist woody areas. They are supposively very abundant. I think raising them would be too much work. I happen to run into picture while trying to find other random information on google searches and saw one chasing down a salamander.

Has anyone had any luck feeding dekays anything other than slugs and worms? I wonder if they eat ants... the 3 times I've every found them they were near or sharing space with those tiny orangy ants underneath a rock.

[guidofatherof5]

No bugs as they can't digest the exoskeleton(chitin) but I do believe soft-bodied insects are on the menu.
The problem with feeding salamanders/frogs you run the real risk of introducing parasites to the snake.

Chitin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[slipknot711]

yes steve soft bodied insects can be eaten, for example ... grubs... delish! lol ew not so much

[Herp Derp]

034.jpgum that's a pic of a salamander I found under a piece of bark, the first thing I happened to turn over.I did not keep it though. Saw some deers024.jpg and caught some west nile virus while doing a little hike(too many mosquitoes for a long hike).

So back to feeding... wonder why information sites say they eat beetles? Today I finally got to see her drink some water... YAY!! Anyone ever notice that when it rains or if there's thunder of lightning your dekay or garter start to roam the enclosure like they want to get out and have some fun?

[guidofatherof5]

034.jpgum that's a pic of a salamander I found under a piece of bark, the first thing I happened to turn over.I did not keep it though. Saw some deers024.jpg and caught some west nile virus while doing a little hike(too many mosquitoes for a long hike).

So back to feeding... wonder why information sites say they eat beetles? Today I finally got to see her drink some water... YAY!! Anyone ever notice that when it rains or if there's thunder of lightning your dekay or garter start to roam the enclosure like they want to get out and have some fun?

Spring rain and windows open seem to get them more active.

[joeysgreen]

That's a beautie blue spotted salamander; I miss all the herps out east. I don't get to make the trip near often enough.