Feeding help

[GarterNovice]

So I know I've picked up bits and pieces of feeding tricks and tips to get a snake to eat pinkies. But just so I'm sure I have it right, you dangle the pinky in front of the snake with tongs until they eat it? Is there a certain amount of time I should try each day. Like ten minutes or so? I'm sure eventually he'll eat it. The pet store said that's what they were feeding him so I can only imagine he might just be full at the moment. Any thoughts?

[guidofatherof5]

Some snakes you don't have to "Dangle" the food. They will meet you and take it. Others need some time. Each individual snake is well, individual. You'll have to see what works for your snake.
I'm not sure I would try to feed 10 times in one day. These little guys are able to go without food for a good amount of time. Your snake needs to get used to its new life with you. I think trying to force the food issue will only stress him/her out. When they are hungry they will eat.

[Lori P]

Some snakes are shyer, and need you to put the food in the tank and leave them alone before they'll eat. I've got some that won't eat if I'm hanging over the tank watching... like Steve said, they're all different. You might want to try putting the pinky in there and just leaving the snake alone for several hours. Good luck!

[Loren]

Some garters will take rodents on their own, some wont. for those that wont, I prefer to use scenting to get them to start taking pinkies. Rinse the pinky off under warm water to wash some of its own smell off. Take a little of whatever he eats now(fish works well, but I have used worms, slugs, frogs etc.), and rub it all over the pinky.
Now, using your tongs, slowly lower it in front of your snake's nose, and let him smell it. If he acts a little interested but doesnt take it, then give it some slight wiggles and see if that does it.
If this works, then do it this way for a few feedings, then start to decrease the amount of scenting and rinsing, starting by leaving the rear half of the pinky "natural" tasting, so that the garter still strikes and eats because the head tastes like fish or whatever, but the last thing the snake tastes is mouse. This will help him to associate the taste/smell of mouse with food.
Eventually he should take them completley natural.

[GarterNovice]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll give those a try.

[infernalis]

I have one really shy eater, and fussy too.

For her I place a pinky in her water bowl with a couple live guppies.

She almost always gets the pinky before the guppies.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Dangling is the wrong word to use here. If you dangle things in front of a snake, usually, it freaks them out, especially if they are new or shy. Instead, firmly gripping it with a set of tongs and presenting it head first to the snake in front of them and if possible, lower than their own head. Like, on the ground. Snakes hate it when things are dangling around in front of/above their heads!

Unless their name is Bluebie the puget sound garter. With garters like that (she is mine and shes ferocious), it's best to wear thick leather gloves, flick the pinkie into their general vicinity and RUN!!!!!

[olive oil]

When I first brought in my Eastern I would put her in a shoe box tote with the food and put a towel over her. She is one of the shy ones I guess now that she is more comfortable she will eat off the tongs.
It does take some time

[infernalis]

Unless their name is Bluebie the puget sound garter. With garters like that (she is mine and shes ferocious), it's best to wear thick leather gloves, flick the pinkie into their general vicinity and RUN!!!!!

Sounds like Sky

He nips at my hands constantly.

Well until I pick him up, then he chills out, But reaching into his tank is an adventure.

[brain]

But reaching into his tank is an adventure.

My fem Gopher is like that. And huffy ... "Like what are you doing in my space."