Of Mice and Snakes

[Zephyr]

Well, I offered my WC garters a thawed pinky today. The first response was a defensive strike, followed by another, followed by another. I'm thinking that garters, at least easterns, recognize mice as a predator/enemy in the widl. Any other thoughts?

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

hmm that or the fact that its a flying mouse

Well, I offered my WC garters a thawed pinky today. The first response was a defensive strike, followed by another, followed by another. I'm thinking that garters, at least easterns, recognize mice as a predator/enemy in the widl. Any other thoughts?

[Zephyr]

lol
They do fine with flying worms and bits of tilapia.

[count dewclaw]

My wild caught eastern female devoured a pinky the first time she ate in captivity. The male ate a pinky during the second feeding. I guess it is just their personal preferences. I did put them in a dish with a couple live fish...

[Zephyr]

That would explain it. But just out of the blue, mice smell seems to scare them.

[count dewclaw]

I was planning on trying just the mouse next time I feed them...I'll let you know what happens.

[Zephyr]

This happened last year with my snake Cremepuff. She struck once, then fled when it was unscented.

[count dewclaw]

Yesterday I tried giving my WC female 2 unscented f/t fuzzies. She ate them with gusto!

[drache]

sometimes even some of those of my snakes who always devour their rodents with gusto, have this response where they will just strike at the mouse as though they want to drive it away
often it's when they're going into shed, but it can be other things, like they're just not hungry or in the mood

[Lori P]

Awesome!!! I really thought it would take longer for the w/c to eat... very cool.