Hi I am new to the forum and to Garters as well. Need help

[snipstedy]

I read the care sheet looking for humidity levels as I have a vivarium enclosure that I was going to use for dart frogs but desided on going with what I think is a Ribbon. Its always hiding now poking its head out every now and then. Pics will be posted soon. Its a newborn and has been eating a good bit . I have a question if someone can help , how often and how much do they eat (talapia)? Can I keep it on talapia for a while Im not sure it will eat nightcrawlers or not. Thanks

[guidofatherof5]

You can put chopped up worms in with the tilapia. Give it a good mix so the worms get coated with the fish smell. This way you can get some variety in the diet. With newborns, be very careful to not over feed. Sometimes over feeding them can kill them. I believe some neonates are developmentally behind and can't handle the large meal.

[snipstedy]

Thanks Steve, would four half in. slices of fresh tilapia be good enough every two days or should it be more like every five days, I know that snakes do not eat near as often as other reptiles?

[Saji]

Newborns can be fed small meals daily (a mouth full) or slightly larger ones every other day in my experience, when I say larger not a fiest just the size of their head no larger. I am in the midst of raising two Radix scrubs I've raised since they were very very small. Steve might go into further detail.

Saji

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks Steve, would four half in. slices of fresh tilapia be good enough every two days or should it be more like every five days, I know that snakes do not eat near as often as other reptiles?

That would not be true as it relates to garters. They have a much metabolism. They eat more often and produce waste more often.

I can't comment on the food as I don't know the size of the snake and the size of the food.

[snipstedy]

Thanks , ..makes sense.