What do you feed and how often

[Scaley.Jade]

right thought id get some discussion going what do you feed your garters and how often this will help me for when i get mine hopefully in september

so come on guys what you think

[adamanteus]

Variety is the key. I feed mine 60% fish (usually trout), 30% pinkies and 10% earthworms... as and when I can get them.
My adults get fed once a week, smaller ones twice, although I'm not strict about this.

[jeanette]

im feeding pinkie mice 3 times a week and earthworms inbetween feeding days if they are hungry.

[Scaley.Jade]

earthworms live just in the tank with them ?

[adamanteus]

No. They probably won't get the chance. Most Garters are pretty keen on earthworms, and grab them straight off.

[jeanette]

i put the earthworms in a dish so they can get snatched before they have a chance to dissapear under the substrate

[adamanteus]

Pretty much what I do...or forcep feed them. Usually when earthworms are on the menu, I have Garter Snakes pouring out of the vivs in their haste to get to them!

[jeanette]

Pretty much what I do...or forcep feed them. Usually when earthworms are on the menu, I have Garter Snakes pouring out of the vivs in their haste to get to them!

lol hungry snakes then
i havent manged to feed mine on forceps as of yet, they seem to be scared of them lol. i will persevere though and see what happens

[el lobo]

I feed mine on toads, leopard frogs, spring peepers, tadpoles, various analids, live fuzzies, grasshoppers, minnows, very small chubs....basically whatever I can catch during the summer. Toads are their favourite. I would NOT recommend toads! As has been stated numerous times on past threads, once a snake goes toad, it would rather not go back. During the winter, I usually buy earthworms from the baitshop, and fuzzies, hoppers, and goldfish from pet supply stores. As James stated, variety is key. Enrichment is beneficial in so many ways...keep them interested!

[el lobo]

Oh, and I usually feed anywhere around every 4 days to a week...I don't really have an organised feeding schedule; I just go by the size of their last meal