Hi. New here with a question.

[bigpig]

Hiya,
I have just joined this forum and have been slowly reading my way thru the articles and posts.
Yesterday I picked up a small/baby Checkered Garter snake.
The shop recommended feeding it on fish, saying that they had been feeding him bits of cooked fish, even bits of Fillet of fish burgers!!!(this cant be good?).
Anyway, I was hoping to get this little critter onto a good diet asap, so today I was going to give him a bit of pinkie mouse, then alternate with Trout.
I think I will feed him every two or three days while he is very young, then take it to once or twice a week.
Now my main question is: with my other snakes; Corn and Childrens Python, to feed them I take them out of their Vivs and feed them in a serprate container, to avoid any ingestion of substrate, (and also cos I like to give them a good check over).
Should I do this with the Garter snake, or feed him in his container?
I realise that this is a newbie question that will have been asked before, but I am keen to get a decent feed into him asap.
Thanks for any help.

[Stefan-A]

The shop recommended feeding it on fish, saying that they had been feeding him bits of cooked fish, even bits of Fillet of fish burgers!!!(this cant be good?).

Yeah, it's not. Some shops...

Now my main question is: with my other snakes; Corn and Childrens Python, to feed them I take them out of their Vivs and feed them in a serprate container, to avoid any ingestion of substrate, (and also cos I like to give them a good check over).
Should I do this with the Garter snake, or feed him in his container?

I recommend it, if he'll eat after being moved to the other container.

[drache]

welcome to the forum

[guidofatherof5]

Great having you with us. You might print off a copy of the forum Care Sheet and give it to the shop owner. Who knows, maybe they'll read it and start giving the garter snakes proper care
Garter Snake Care Sheet - Caresheets
Glad the snake is has a decent home now. Looking forward to pictures in the future.

[Selkielass]

Hello!
I'm a newcomer too, but I've been dealing with different feeding issues- getting a wild caught garter to eat! (Guppies worked at last! Yay!) I'm amazed, and a bit envious that your little guy will, apparently give just about anything a go.

You may not need it, but you might want to check out this thread on making your own snake food from fish, vitamins and gelatin.
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/gene...html#post98670

Of course if he will eat pinkies you're set- those seem to be the most recommended 'ideal' food.

[infernalis]

Hiya,
Now my main question is: with my other snakes; Corn and Childrens Python, to feed them I take them out of their Vivs and feed them in a serprate container, to avoid any ingestion of substrate, (and also cos I like to give them a good check over).
Should I do this with the Garter snake, or feed him in his container?

I recommend it, if he'll eat after being moved to the other container.

I concur fully, I always feed all but my most stubborn snakes in a separate poly tote for that same exact reason.

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, bigpig

[bigpig]

Hiya,
Thanks for those replies and kind welcomes.
I have got the little snake started eating trout.
Hes pretty jumpy, but Im sure he will settle given some time.
I have managed to read thru a lot more of this forum now and found it really helpful.
happy days,
M.

[guidofatherof5]

It sounds like you've got things going well for your snake. The jumpiness should lessen as time goes by.

[mustang]

welcome from TX