Hello Everyone!

[PitGirl89]

Okay, so pinkies are the way to go, easy enough, sort of lol. If I'm not mistaken I only have to feed one per week? We'll see how it pans out, I was looking for a snake that didn't eat rodents which sparked my interest in Garters, but, I'm sure once the first one is gone it just becomes routine. If they're not alive, and if I don't have to see them alive, I shouldn't have a problem with it.

[jitami]

Welcome There are people who don't include rodents at all, but it's trickier to get all of their nutritional requirements met.

Check this post for a complete 'non-rodent' recipe: http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/husb...html#post97262

That said, I find that in time most people get used to the idea of feeding frozen/thawed mice. Good luck in your research!

[count dewclaw]

Welcome, welcome!

Glad to hear you are doing your research first. Sounds like you are on the right track. I can't really add anything more to the advice you have already been given. If (when) you do get a garter, you will for sure enjoy having it, they are so much fun to watch.

[guidofatherof5]

Nice to have you with us. Sounds like the forum is giving some very good advice. I would only add that if you buy frozen fish, make sure it is not a "Product of China" I don't think the standards over there are as good as they should be. The salmon I buy from Sam's Club is a "Product of Chile" and has worked great. I had a terrible experience with some fish from China and lost a snake.
I'm really glad you joined and I'm impressed you're gathering knowledge before you get a Garter.

[Millinex]

Okay, so pinkies are the way to go, easy enough, sort of lol. If I'm not mistaken I only have to feed one per week? We'll see how it pans out, I was looking for a snake that didn't eat rodents which sparked my interest in Garters, but, I'm sure once the first one is gone it just becomes routine. If they're not alive, and if I don't have to see them alive, I shouldn't have a problem with it.

One pinkie a week is ok for smaller snakes, however my large 34 inch female downed 5 fuzzies and a pinkie yesterday and will want about that in another 5-7 days. In general the larger snakes I've kept have taken down between 10-12 pinkies a week, I am however a heavier feeder for my snakes.

As your snake gets big, like mine, it may become more economical to take her off pinkies and onto other types of mice, if you keep a male you could probably get away with a few pinkies a week through his life.

[Snake lover 3-25]

welcome to the forum!

[drache]

my grown females eat rat pups

[adamanteus]

Hi Renay, and welcome to the forum.

[Snaky]

Welcome to the forum and enjoy it here

[PitGirl89]

Thanks for all of the warm welcomes!!!
Jitami I really appreciate the link to the non rodent diet, I'll be checking that out as soon as I'm done with this message. I'm learning a lot in just the few days I've been researching. This is quickly becomming an obsession. I have located a breeder, and have been designing a decent habitat, I have an old 50 gallon aquarium which I could section off while the snake is small, and once it reaches adulthood should make a comfy planted habitat. We'll see though, because I still have a lot of research and planning to do. Time will tell