New garter snake feeding

[Gene0514]

Hi

Yesterday I went herping to a park near me, where there was supposed to be a pond (the pond dried up from the heat), and I caught a ~2 foot long eastern garter snake. It appears to be an eastern. It is pretty nice sized. I have it in a 24" by 13" rubbermaid enclosure. I have paper towel as substrate, a nice sized water bowl, some driftwood for climbing, a hide box, and a 40W bulb for heat. The snake seems to be pretty skittish, and when I tried tossing a night crawler in today, it just looked at it and didn't attempt to eat it. If I can't get the snake eating, I'm going to take it back to the park. Can someone please help?

Here is a pic of the snake. It musked and bit me when I caught it.

[guidofatherof5]

It may take a few days or weeks for your snake to settle down. The weeks is an extreme.
Garters usually calm down rather quickly. Be patience with her. Remember you're a big scary monster to her.
Take your time and take little steps, she needs to learn to trust you.
She's beautiful.

[Gene0514]

Thanks for the advice

I'll try again on sunday
If anything, I'll try mosquito fish

[Mommy2many]

As Steve said, takes time and we appear to be threats to them. It may take a few weeks for your snake to acclimate itself to want to eat. They usually always do, though. Just keep trying the night crawlers every other day or so.

Make sure she has plenty of clean water and a hide. She looks like a beautiful snake!

[Gene0514]

Thanks
here's a pic of its setup

[Snakers]

set up looks very nice and as stated before she has to learn to trust you

[Gene0514]

Thanks, I'll let her get used to the tank

[infernalis]

Welcome.. That is a nice Eastern...

She will come around eventually.

[Gene0514]

Thanks

I hope she does

[Gene0514]

good news!

Today I went to the park where I caught her and found some earthworms. I offered them to her and she ate one!
Not much but its still progress