Baby Garter Snakes

[NickeyV]

I was wondering does anyone know where you can find mice, nightcrawlers, guppies, anything free? If not its okay. I don't think I can give them anything right now and I cant be able to try any other food til the end of the month. Just wondering does anyone want one? I want them to go to someone who is able to feed them since they are noneaters and if its not too late for them.

[guidofatherof5]

Are you able to buy any night crawlers from Walmart or go dig some from a safe area?
You might check Craigslist for a local rodent breeder that might give you a very good deal.
As your local pet shops if they might give you a few free pinkies. Never hurts to ask.

[dieselbaby]

poor babies, you cant ship them in that condition.. do they have access to clean fresh water? im not an expert but almost sounds like dehydration, as well as lack of food. earthworms are free if its still warm in denver, i know up in north park its cold but denver should still be warm. try soaking the ground around logs, rocks etc, wait several hours then turn over the logs and rocks etc, and you should be able to find a worm or two. Or even a garden slug would work. I know someone up north who would take them but he doesnt have a tank set up right now. ill email him and see if he would be willing to take these babies and get them the groceries they need.

[NickeyV]

poor babies, you cant ship them in that condition.. do they have access to clean fresh water? im not an expert but almost sounds like dehydration, as well as lack of food. earthworms are free if its still warm in denver, i know up in north park its cold but denver should still be warm. try soaking the ground around logs, rocks etc, wait several hours then turn over the logs and rocks etc, and you should be able to find a worm or two. Or even a garden slug would work. I know someone up north who would take them but he doesnt have a tank set up right now. ill email him and see if he would be willing to take these babies and get them the groceries they need.

I hate to sound stupid but right now I have 15 baby garter snakes from 17. 2 recently died. But they were all born August 16. I didn't know how to make them eat or that you can forcefeed them. I thought that they would one day naturally start eating. You know from watching the others eat or when they were really hungry. I forcefed them once but they still won't want to eat on their own. They are still alive because they drink water. Its also my first time taking care of baby garter snakes, so I didn't know much. I just hope its not too late for them. I would try earthworms but cant find any at all. I tried soaking the ground before but just couldn't find any anywhere. Never seen a garden slug around. I am worrying about them so much. There is also another that is deformed. Right now he doesn't look too good. He hardly wants to move and I watch and watch him and don't see him take a breath unless I touch him. When I do that he acts like something hurts or something. He is my favorite and am taking it really hard right now. He is also a noneater but I forcefed him and he doesn't look so skinny. I dont know whats worng with him. I dont want to lose him. Also just wondering once they die can you be able to save them for a while. I want a tattoo of him before he passes. I would take a picture but have no camera or phone, nothing.

[kibakiba]

Don't forcefeed. You will likely harm them or kill them. If they don't take the food you are offering, either food it something else or keep offering. Sometimes babies just don't make it, you cant change that.

[dieselbaby]

well i can suggest calling these people to see if they can help colorado reptile humane society. or these people About Us | Rocky Mountain Reptile Rescue . If they wont take them i will find more numbers for you to call.

It sounds as though the deformed one needs to be put down if its in pain. Steve has a very humane way to do it. Also the last step is freezing the snake, and it could remain frozen until you decide to bury him/her.

Don't let them suffer, try getting some help from a reptile rescue. Im so sorry that you have lost babies already. You need to do something, and if you cant afford a few dollars for some guppies or worms, you need to get help for them. You cant let them starve. I know you arent doing this on purpose but none of us can help from so far away other then what has been suggested, Try those rescues and see if they will take in and adopt out those babies after they are eating. Or like steve said swing by some of the pet stores and swallow your pride and ask for their help or a donation of some worms or guppies.

keep us posted, and i will let you know when i hear back from my friend in north park area.

[kibakiba]

Reptile resques will likely put them down, but even that is better than force feeding or starving in this case... Imho.

[dieselbaby]

I was thinking if nothing else maybe they could help him get food for them or something, anything is better then slowly starving to death.

[kibakiba]

Most rescue places don't give two ....s about garter snakes. I highly doubt they'll give any thought about it before euthanizing them

[dieselbaby]

well that just sucks. a life is a life and should be equal if its a garter snake or a boa. I dont know how else to help those lil ones. Breaks my heart to know they are starving.