Parasite treatment???

[guidofatherof5]

Chop up a fish and mix in a few pinkies.

[GarterSnake]

Could I do the same thing with f/t silversides? I had mice as pets for pets for several years, and I raise rabbits. (Newborns look just like pinky mice, only bigger.) It's just my personal preference not to have to handle f/t mice.

[guidofatherof5]

Don't see why not. Mice are a more complete meal though.

[GarterSnake]

Okay, great. If I can steel myself I may upgrade to mice sometime, but I'll update after I feed him.

[GarterSnake]

Breakthrough! The three f/t silversides that were on his plate disappeared within a half hour of putting them there! I don't know if he actually ate them or if he just dragged them off and spit them out, but I don't want to bother him yet, just in case he might get scared and regurgitate, but it's sure a big step from completely ignoring them/acting afraid of them. I'll probably check and see if he ate them tomorrow?

[guidofatherof5]

Do you see a full belly on the snake?

[GarterSnake]

He's out of sight, probably under his low hide.

[guidofatherof5]

Not sure what substrate you are using but it might be wise to check for regurgitated food. Many snakes will eat the food again and it will be covered with substrate.
Best to remove it.

[GarterSnake]

My substrate is bits of blank newsprint that are about 2" by 3". Should I still check, there any danger of ingestion with those?

[guidofatherof5]

I would check no matter what the substrate