Substrate Ingestion

[abcat1993]

Today I decided, "what the heck, I'll feed him in his tank", so I fed my new garter in his tank, which went fine until I noticed that he had a bit of the aspen bedding stuck to his mouth. I figured he'd get it off like they normally do, but then he closed his mouth. He was trying to get it out before he closed his mouth, but then I interfered and tried to get it out for him, which probably wasn't a good idea.

What I'm trying to say is, will he regurgitate it or not? He was just sitting there afterwards looking like somebody about to throw up, but then: nothing.

[Lulu Bennett]

depending on the size of the bedding but it should be ok. mine did it a few times and they have been ok but a few times i have had to give them a hand but they have passed it lol

[enigma200316]

one tiny piece would probably not hurt, but to much can cause a blockage, feed it some worms as they are usually like a laxative to them...

[abcat1993]

Well, that's good to know. He ate a worm with it so I would think that would be good, I don't know if he would even eat another anyways. it was very thin and about 2/3 the size of his mouth.

[Josh]

what kind is your new garter?

[abcat1993]

I bought two eastern garters, both 66% possible het for leucism, one flame, one normal. The flame escaped

[enigma200316]

I bought two eastern garters, both 66% possible het for leucism, one flame, one normal. The flame escaped

sorry to hear that............

[abcat1993]

My snake seems to be doing fine, although a bit sluggish, but I guess that's just because my parents refuse to put on the heat and the house gets down to 60 at night, now that it's almost fall and the weather is unseasonably cold.

[enigma200316]

My snake seems to be doing fine, although a bit sluggish, but I guess that's just because my parents refuse to put on the heat and the house gets down to 60 at night, now that it's almost fall and the weather is unseasonably cold.

do you heat the tank during the day though...???

[GarterGuy]

I hope that your snake does ok, but I can honeslty say I've lost a western hognose to just the same thing. She ingested some aspen while feeding and later developed some sort of blockage or something that eventually killed her. That's why I don't use any substrates that can not be safely, accidentally ingested. Sorry to be gloom and doom on this one....it may also pass with no worries, but I wouldn't feed him in his tank again.

Roy