not eating - calcium?

[guidofatherof5]

Have you tried guppies? Put the snake on a small tall container that put him in close proximity to the fish. Put the live guppies(10 or more) in, no water. This was worked on countless non-eaters.

You could also try earthworms. They are differnt than nightcrawlers and my snakes have proven that to me. I keep a ready supply of those pale looking little worm close. Between the guppies and the earthworms I would say my success rate of around 99%.
If he's showing signs of interest you may not have to force feed.
Good luck and keep us posted.


I quickly read this thread and hope I'm suggesting anything you have already tried.

[Herps 4 Life]

Hi Jen, thank you for the comment!
the bumps may look similar, my garter wasn't eating but because he was new and due to the changes he had to experience.. Like Steve said guppies are great, they worked for mine too! Have you tried them yet?
Keep us posted, I can't stand to see one of my animals getting to starve, hope little Sugar will start to eat soon!

[ephemerata]

Have you tried guppies? Put the snake on a small tall container that put him in close proximity to the fish. Put the live guppies(10 or more) in, no water. This was worked on countless non-eaters.

.

OK, I finally found guppies today. I put Sugar in a tall plastic container, like the kind for storing spaghetti, then poured the guppies into a strainer, then tapped them in. The ten guppies just laid on him and were plastered on the bottom and side with some but little movement. He just looked out at me like, "why did you put me in here?" I will give them a rest then maybe try them in a centimeter of water so they move more?
Yesterday I also found some earthworms in my yard, he did not care for those as an alternative to his usual nightcrawlers.
A few days ago I also tried the silversides like Rhea suggested a while back. He did not like those on a plate on a towel on my lap (like I usually would do) or in his tank while it was still dark and he was active, and I assume, looking for food by the way he perches at his waterbowl. At least my cats love them since I had to get a huge package..
I guess if I don't get any more magic tips on the guppies I've tried everything then I need to take him to the vet and begin forcefeeding tomorrow since it has been since midJuly since he has eaten. But I have very mixed feelings about this...I'm not taking care of the cause, just the symptom... This is sad

[ephemerata]

I don't feel sure enough to act tomorrow on the vet's choices of getting a skin biopsy and force feeding so I'll let one more week pass of trying to get him to eat ..

[Mommy2many]

Good luck with him. Have you tried the salmon? I know you said the other kind of fish. Keeping fingers crossed!

[MichaelSmith]

Hi All.
Our Lovely Sugar the eastern garter snake is not eating.
[snip]

He spent his first 6 months in an elementary school science lab before I rescued him in December (they did not want him anymore because all but he and the anoles had died). There he was fed only fatty minnows in the goldfish family and kept too cold and too humid. I've changed his diet (no more goldfish) and habitat of course.

[snip]

Hi - what was this snake eating between the time you rescued him and this summer? If there was something -even goldfish - he was taking, then I'd try that again rather than force-feeding. You might then gradually be able to shift over to something healthier.

Do you have a photo? You're sure it's an eastern garter?

Hope things get better.

[ephemerata]

I am posting two photos:
one of Sugar from the side today, I have counted 8 bumps
another eating his last big meal in July, to see whole body and if he is an eastern garter
Thanks to all for their ideas - will try anything

[Snakers]

omg that's a beautiful eastern

[ephemerata]

Good luck with him. Have you tried the salmon? I know you said the other kind of fish. Keeping fingers crossed!

I tried salmon with Sugar last night and, although he seemed to be attracted to it more than anything I've tried so far, he just went up to it, rubbed his nose on it, then slid right past it.
My cats sure like this experiment in buying fish that don't get eaten.

He has four guppies I saw him watching in his waterbowl this morning during his active, dawn, hunting time that my husband will take out if they are not gone in an hour, which is likely.

Besides not eating, I am still hearing a frequent click (every few seconds) and count 8 bumps along his whole body. He can't feel very well but is sweeter than ever, crawling up into my hand.

[ephemerata]

omg that's a beautiful eastern

and his personality is even more amazing

funny, before him I did not know snakes had personalities

now we just have to get him eating - keep sending ideas please - or if it is his time let it be easy