Eastern (I believe) won't eat

[NovaPrime9]

Hello, all.

I live in NJ and this past Sunday our cats presented us with the gift of a live and very perturbed garter snake. I inspected him for damage and was surprised to see nothing obvious- no punctures, no blood, and no obvious broken ribs. So my son ran to get his critter cage and we've had him in there since.

I've observed him drinking, and he's fairly active. However, he hasn't eaten since we got him. We've offered fish (both live and dead- in the water and in a small dish respectively), and worms. Is there something else I should try? This is what I've always fed them when I was young, and they always ate these things enthusiastically.

Please let me know what you think. I guess a few other pertinent details are:
the snake is about 10"
the outside temperature is 40 degrees or so, which leads me to think that perhaps it isn't fully out of brumation...?
indoor temp is 70 degrees, and there's no warming stone or pad in or on the tank.

Any advice is appreciated. I figure if I can't get him eating by Monday, I will probably let it go.


~Nova

[Stefan-A]

It sounds like you're doing okay so far. It might well be that it's not out of brumation completely and mating season is coming up, too (although it sounds a bit on the small side for that). If you could get your hands on earthworms, that would be worth a try.

[guidofatherof5]

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for being concerned for the snakes welfare.

I second the earthworm idea. Small night crawlers, maybe.
We would love to see a photo when you have a chance. It may also nail down the ID of the snake. Here's a link to the care sheet that might help.
http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets...n_Garter_Snake

I think Stefan has the right idea. The snake is probably just coming out of brumation and needs sometime to adjust.
Keep us posted on your new friend.

[Stefan-A]

I think Stefan has the right idea. The snake is probably just coming out of brumation and needs sometime to adjust.

I want to point out that it was not my idea, but his own.

[guidofatherof5]

Sorry, my mistake.

[NovaPrime9]

Thanks for the input

I put two pictures online. I didn't downsize them; I figured the more detail the better.

here
and
here

I've tried worms... my son goes out into the yard and digs for them every day. But I end up pulling dried up husks out of the tank 24 hours later. Do you think nightcrawlers would give better results? Maybe I just need to give him more time to 'wake up', as it were?

Anyway, I do hope the pictures give enough info for you to place what he actually is. Maybe that'll help us get to the bottom of what he actually wants to eat!


~Nova

[prattypus]

That's it Steve, you're fired.

[ssssnakeluvr]

can take them a couple weeks to adjust to the new home also.

[Stefan-A]

Do you think nightcrawlers would give better results? Maybe I just need to give him more time to 'wake up', as it were?

It's worth a try, in both cases.

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, NovaPrime9