New to snakes!

[Illi]

Hi everyone! I found a garter in my house and felt so bad for the poor thing because it was freezing so I set up a small tank for him. I've had him for a little over a week now. Any and all info and advice would be great because I don't know a whole lot!

[Albert Clark]

Welcome Illi to the forum! It's nice to have you here. That was admirable of you to house him bc he was freezing. Most wild snakes have the ability to find refuge in cold weather Captives do also, but the wild ones have been doing it more on a regular basis. He probably was looking for refuge when you spotted him. Are you planning on keeping him?

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks for looking out for the little one. Any chance you can post a photo so be know what species you have? Here's a link to the forum care sheet. Ask all the question you might have.
Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet

[Illi]

Sorry my camera isn't the greatest. I do plan on keeping him. I found him on Dec 31st and we had a bad rainy night before so we suspected he came in the house because of that.

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks for the photos. Still hard to get a good look at the snake. Might be an Eastern - Thamnophis sirtalis but it could also be a Butler's Garter - Thamnophis butleri. Butleri are a protected species in your State. What are you feeding?

[Illi]

I've tried feeding fish, thawed pink mouse, and crickets - was told to try by pet store - but he showed no interest. I have an up close video of him but the site will not let me post it.

[Illi]

https://youtu.be/XZdfvVy0Xwo

[Qwerty3159]

Don't feed him crickets and if there's any in the cage take them out, garters don't eat those :P

Have you tried nightcrawlers?

[boyer45]

Welcome, you are in the right place! I would definitely try nightcrawlers to start with.

[guidofatherof5]

It might take awhile for it to start eating. It needs to settle in.