Hello from Houston :D

[EasternGirl]

Definitely consider adding more variety to the diet. Silversides are good...but a fish only diet can be bad for a snake...it can cause a vitamin B1 deficiency. Adding worms and pinkies to the diet will balance the diet and be beneficial to your snake's health. If you need further help with feeding pinkies and worms...just ask. Make sure the worms are nightcrawlers...other kinds of worms can be toxic. Welcome to the forum!!!

[ConcinusMan]

Definitely consider adding more variety to the diet. ... a fish only diet can be bad for a snake

I'm not so sure about that.

[katach]

Welcome to the forum family!

[gregmonsta]

Greetings

[ProXimuS]

Definitely consider adding more variety to the diet. Silversides are good...but a fish only diet can be bad for a snake...it can cause a vitamin B1 deficiency. Adding worms and pinkies to the diet will balance the diet and be beneficial to your snake's health. If you need further help with feeding pinkies and worms...just ask. Make sure the worms are nightcrawlers...other kinds of worms can be toxic. Welcome to the forum!!!

I was under the impression that the silversides would not make them vitamin b1 deficient since they do not contain thiaminase. And I was also under the impression earthworms were safe as well as nightcrawlers. Am I incorrect?

[JosvdB]

Definitely consider adding more variety to the diet. Silversides are good...but a fish only diet can be bad for a snake...it can cause a vitamin B1 deficiency.

That's completely dependent on the kind of fish that is being fed. Feeding fish that don't contain thiaminase will provide a snake with everything it needs.

[guidofatherof5]

There are many different kinds of worms. Any worms that are considered compost/red worms are bad for garters.
They are toxic.
If you are feeding fish/fillet only they are missing calcium so a supplement is probably needed.
Here's what I use.
The pink container:
Amazon.com: Rep-Cal Calcium with Vitamin D3 (4.1 oz) Ultrafine Powder Pink bottle: Pet Supplies

[ConcinusMan]

WHOLE fish are good and the snake can live on these alone, but be careful what kind you use. These silversides are good. (available at pet stores that sell fish supplies). The latter brand is already supplemented and this species is free of thiaminase:

San Francisco Bay Brand® Sally's Frozen Silversides™ Tropical Fish Food - Marine Food - Featured Products - PetSmart

Frozen Fish Food for Aquarium Fish: Ocean Nutrition Silverside Frozen Food

[Reptiliancousin]

Welcome.
I also have ribbon snakes. Four in fact. I caught my first one in May of 2010 and have continued to look for more! Where did you aquire yours? I've found it's difficult to find ribbons. I'm fairly new to this forum myself and have discovered that gold fish isn't the most ideal thing to feed to ribbons I've begun to switch over to other sources. My largest ribbon accepted mice without hesitation and my smaller ones are very reluctant. Difference in character I suppose.
Can't wait to see pictures of your snake!

[ProXimuS]

San Francisco Bay Brand silversides are the ones I'm already feeding. I guess I'm off to a good start

Hi Reptiliancousin! I found mine at work actually My friend saw him one day and I've never seen one like him in the wild, especially at work, and I thought he was so pretty! The next day I saw him again in a different place(he was sitting right behind me looking at me like he came back to be friends)So I finished my cigarette and slowly tried to get him, and picked him up with really no problem
I posted the only picture I have right now here: http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/gene...to-thread.html
But also just found out he is too skinny Thats something we're going to start working on!