what type of garter

[ssssnakeluvr]

Not a good idea to release it where you are if it's a butler's...there are no butlers in that area. I'm leaning a little towards eastern garter from what I can see on the pic. Butler's are smaller garters. I used to catch them in Michigan a lot on the base I was stationed at. From my experience, looking at the size of the snake, size of the eyes on the head, it looks like a juvenile. Butler's are around 15-20 inches full grown. It looks like that one is half that size....its hard to tell actual length in the pic....The eyes are still pretty large in comparison to the head size so it still has a lot of growing to do... also that one looks like it has a more pronounced checker pattern than I have seen on butlers.... That's my guess on this cute little snake.

[abcat1993]

thanks. any tips on getting it to eat though? I have had it for 2 days in it's current 15 gallon tank with a live fish for 2 days and a few waxworms for 1 day. If it is going into brumation, what should I do?

[ssssnakeluvr]

they won't eat waxworms, they are unable to digest insects. Just leave the ish in the bowl for a few days. If the snakes refuses food for a week or 2 that's ok. Try putting 2 or 3 more little fish in the bowl, make sure to change the water every day so the fish stay alive. If the snake doesn't eat after 2 weeks, his digestive system will also be cleared so he can be brumated. Put him in a cool place...garage or basement where the temps stay in the 40's or low 50's. Place a water bowl in the cage also. They will drink and move around while hibernating. Since this is a young snake, you can leave him in hibernation for about 2 months. Make sure you check on him at least twice a week. If he starts getting thin, then warm him up and bring him out of hibernation. I do this when I have snakes that go off feed. Wild caught snakes often don't eat for several weeks when adjusting to captivity. Hope this helps!