Advice on switching a baby garter snake from live fish?

[kcl]

Thanks! I did have paper rolls in the bigger tank for them (along with a bunch of other hides), but didn't think to block off the end with paper towels. I currently have two of the mini RB hides in his separate tank but am still looking to provide more, tinier hides for him so he can feel as safe as possible. 3 out of 4 sides are blocked off completely from view (put cardboard and Styrofoam up against the outsides). I think he still hasn't eaten yet unfortunately. One guppy is missing, but it probably just flopped off somewhere again - I didn't want to disturb him to check.

I am going to buy one of the "fancy" danios again after work as that is what inspired him to eat the first time while the guppies don't seem to be doing anything for him. I'll pick up some more fake plants while I'm there. I have some ordered but they won't arrive until Wednesday and I don't want to steal them from the other babies. They're still doing well. I'm really hoping I can fix the problem for this one.

[kcl]

Sadly, I came home today to find that he had passed away. I only had him for nine days in total. I wish I had done a better job for him. Hopefully the remaining two continue to do well.

[Albert Clark]

Sadly, I came home today to find that he had passed away. I only had him for nine days in total. I wish I had done a better job for him. Hopefully the remaining two continue to do well.

Sorry for the loss! I find it perplexing that he would die within a nine day period. Maybe there was something else going on with him. You did all you could and shouldn't blame yourself at all. Some animals just are not going to survive despite our best efforts. There is a type of feeding called " tease feeding" where you pick the animal up and hold him in your hand while lightly offering food very close to his face. A very effective method for reluctant feeders especially hatchling or neonates. I have to do this with one of my albino checkereds right now. He is way behind in feeding, size, and overall development.

[kcl]

Thank you both for the advice and support. I did try to tease feed but he seemed to think he was being murdered any time I touched him (reasonable when you're so tiny) .

I've tried it with the other two as well as they are currently being stubborn, but the only one who doesn't think he's being murdered every time (still does most times) is the one who has been a good eater until just recently. That one just shed today so I assume he will start eating again. If you do have advice on how to keep them from being terrified in order to tease feed, I'd love to know for reference even if I hopefully won't have to do it at this point.

Fyi, I only touch them when necessary to move them, I mostly just clean around them and definitely don't handle them for fun - they're so tiny! I am perfectly happy just handling my ball python when he is not digesting or in shed as he is healthy, well established, and doesn't seem to mind.

[Albert Clark]

Thank you both for the advice and support. I did try to tease feed but he seemed to think he was being murdered any time I touched him (reasonable when you're so tiny) .

I've tried it with the other two as well as they are currently being stubborn, but the only one who doesn't think he's being murdered every time (still does most times) is the one who has been a good eater until just recently. That one just shed today so I assume he will start eating again. If you do have advice on how to keep them from being terrified in order to tease feed, I'd love to know for reference even if I hopefully won't have to do it at this point.

Fyi, I only touch them when necessary to move them, I mostly just clean around them and definitely don't handle them for fun - they're so tiny! I am perfectly happy just handling my ball python when he is not digesting or in shed as he is healthy, well established, and doesn't seem to mind.

That's cool! I only pick mine up when it's time to clean however it's just moving them from the soiled tub to the already prepared replacement tub. Also sometimes they get picked up if they lurch forward out of reach and I have to move quicker than them to avoid a accident. As far as the tease feeding is concerned you may have to be a bit forceful despite the hatchling feeling like he's "being murdered". Use the food to essentially do more of a assist feeding and put the prey item into the snakes mouth. Usually they will begin the pulling in of the prey and swallow it. Once again so sorry for your loss.

[kcl]

Ah, yeah, I did try putting the food in the one's mouth. He did not start swallowing, but I likely should've gotten it a bit further in to his mouth. I think it's one of those things where practice and technique makes a big difference (I've volunteered at a wildlife center for several years and everything from feeding baby birds to tubing baby opossums, to moving adult hawks is way easier the fifth+ time than the first no matter what). Hopefully I never need to try again with the remaining two. Although I appreciate learning new techniques and theories, I'm far happier when the animals don't need them!