Goldfish, not OK? rosies, OK? Confused...

[vulgaris]

Thanks, everyone.

I think I am eventually just going to go all-pinkie. I used to breed mice for snakes back in high school, I'll probably just go back to that.

[adamanteus]

A mouse only diet isn't really a good idea for Garter Snakes, thery're too high in fat to use exclusively. The best option is a variety of foods; pinkies, 'safe' fish such as salmon or trout and some earthworms.

[vulgaris]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. i'll do some research on tha fishes and where i can order them around here. most the pet stores only have minnows and goldfish.

[adamanteus]

You can buy the trout or salmon at any supermarket. It works out way cheaper, pound for pound, than any 'feeder' fish.

[Stefan-A]

Just don't forget to remove the bones and add a calcium supplement.

[adamanteus]

Just don't forget to remove the bones and add a calcium supplement.

Some people leave bones in... as long as they don't protrude so that they could snag in the snakes' gullet, it's probably a very good idea. Personally though, I don't.

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

i buy de-boned salmon and put that chopped up on a plate with chopped up pinkies and a little bit of calcium supplement.

[adamanteus]

Pretty much what I do, Reed.... I buy whole trout, cut it into strips and offer it with pinkies etc.

[Stefan-A]

I buy fillets, debone them myself, cook and eat most of it, cut the rest into strips, freeze them separately and offer them without pinkies. I never offer more than I know will be eaten. I'm not rich enough to waste any pinkies.

[drache]

I offer trout with bone and salmon without
Runty is the only one who will not eat rodent, and the ones who do are not interested in anything else - so much for variety
thanks to my plated lizards, I never have to waste any food
I feed them all the snake left-overs and then top them off with bugs