Can Plains Garter Snakes Eat Minnows?

[Themoonatic]

Today I went to Petco and I asked the person working there what type of fish to feed my garter snake. She said minnows. They were 13 cents each so I am going to get some tomorrow, unless anyone was a better fish?

Thanks! :),

[guidofatherof5]

They will gladly eat them and eat as many as they can fit in. The problem is most minnows(Pimephales promelas) carry a heavy parasite load and contain Thiaminase. This enzyme will block the absorption of Vitamin B1(Thiamine) by splitting it into to separate compounds. Best to stay with safer fish like Mollies, Guppies and Gambusia(Mosquito Fish).