Ribbon Snake won't stop rolling

[guidofatherof5]

I'm very sorry to here about your troubles.

It sounds like you've gotten some bad advise from people you thought were knowledgeable about garter snakes. It happens.
The forum care sheet is a great place to get the real scoop on garter snake care.
You are also welcome to post any questions you might have.
You have to do what you feel is right but don't kick yourself too hard.
Garter Snake Care Sheet - Caresheets

[kibakiba]

An animal rescue organization might just put him down.

Don't feel bad, it's not your fault. Inexperience doesn't make you a serial killer. You didn't do it on purpose. I know you can take good care of Percy now that you know.

[RedSidedSPR]

Don't feel like it's your fault....

[New Mutant]

Oh, I felt like a serial killer because of the way you have to prepare the pinkies, cutting their faces open and all that. I'm going to donate all of Percy's stuff, like his tank and lamp, maybe even a cash donation, along with him so that he'll have a better chance.

[ConcinusMan]

Luke is gone. This is the fifth pet of mine that had to be put down, given away, or died naturally because of brain problems (severe aggression, brain damage, various psychoses, epilepsy), all of which came from shady pet shops.

And you keep going back for more? You're better off getting a free snake from one of our members. At least it will be healthy.

[RedSidedSPR]

Oh, I felt like a serial killer because of the way you have to prepare the pinkies, cutting their faces open and all that. I'm going to donate all of Percy's stuff, like his tank and lamp, maybe even a cash donation, along with him so that he'll have a better chance.

If you buy frozen pinkies, you wont have to cut them..... Unless Percy is a baby and is too small for whole mice

[drache]

I am so sorry for your troubles - and angry at your pet shop

I'd like to encourage you to hang on to Percy and give him a better life than what he might find if you surrender him

I'm guessing you got live pinkies, and the only time I ever did that, I thanked the heavens that I did not ever have to do that again - as it turned out, hardly any of my snakes wanted them - not even that difficult eater they were specifically bought for
try some frozen ones - they hardly make you feel any more like a serial killer than the chicken parts at your local meat market
since Percy has already taken rodent once, I doubt that the scenting is going to be needed much longer, and you won't have to handle the rodents that much

you might want to print out a copy of our care sheet and drop a copy off at that evil pet shop - just on the chance that someone there is interested in learning

[Kantar]

don't give up!

Keep percy

When I started keeping garters it was a rocky start. They kept escaping, one died of thiaminese, my cat broke into the tank and ripped 2 snakes apart, I don't have cats anymore. Used a substrate called Eco Earth, a block I put in water and it expands, the bacteria in it killed 2 snakes within a day.

But since then and it has been a couple years now that I haven't had any trouble except for 1 escape that found a home in my laundry basket.

Just don't give up, keeping snakes is such a rewarding experience and they are just so darned cute

[Didymus20X6]

I learned everything I know about keeping snakes from this forum. And I haven't had a single one to die on me yet. Little Dude (who was a juvenile when I caught her 2 years ago) is nice, big, and healthy. And Scarlett, my most recent wild caught, is doing well, even if she is very skittish. Some of the things I've learned I had to adjust to suit my wild-caught needs (or more specifically, their unique personalities)

Point is, I came here knowing nothing, and was in fact terrified of snakes, and learned a lot. If I can go from ophidophobe to a garter-keeper in less than two years, then it shouldn't be that hard for you.

[RedSidedSPR]

BRAVO *clap clap* well said. Ditto to that!! I vote you keep him!