New Snake-help?

[Saphyre_rose]

alright-thanks for the suggestions!

[adamanteus]

Brenda, some heat source may well be needed, but the heat rocks (I believe) can become too hot. Have a read through this for some basic hints and tips regarding temperature etc.
http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets...ake_Care_Sheet

[Saphyre_rose]

Again-thanks SO much, I feel much better about my snake now

[Sid]

Brenda, your enclosure shoulld range from 80 to 90 degrees F. in the day time and 75 to 80 at night.

[LushLulu85]

i have heard bad things about heat rocks so i wouldn't bother with them but above my small tank with 2 baby tetratainas in i have a normal table lamp and a heat mat underneath. aslong as it reached 85 degrees in the day and 75 at night it will be fine

[ssssnakeluvr]

2 to 3 weeks to adjust is common, some will feed sooner. a small under tank heater will be ok...garters are very cold tolerant snakes....

[flakgunner]

hey,
One week isn't long at all,especially for a wild caught baby,but you 'll need to remember,your little one,is getting ready to hibernate,and needs to be de-programed,this is why alot of collector's do their most serious herping in the late spring,early summer,with Col. temps dropping fast,and daylight shortening,you may have to fool it,by slowly increasing temps and daylight,this can even be a problem,with early caught snakes for their first year in captivity,my baby Western Fox snake caught in late Aug. 06,gave us problems in late Sept. thru Dec. 06 in this time period,it only ate three pinkie's,it wasn't until Feb. 07,that it began eating weekly.
I've got three Western Plains gartersnakes,caught in our backyard early summer of this year,all three where eating like pigs!three weeks ago,they all flat out stopped,with no interest in nightcrawlers or minnows/goldfish(thawed out or live).
Garter snakes are some of the hardiest reptiles ever,coming out of hibernation even with snow on the ground.Your little one should be fine,just needs a little time to get adjusted,just make sure it has a few places to hide,and fresh water,once it starts eating,it'll grow 1" a month.

Joe

Are you using a safe substrate? with worms and fish being slimy,they'll pickup small pieces,while their eating,sand,crushed corn comb and ground walnut shells are not good.

[Saphyre_rose]

I have her in a mix of gravel(larger sized) and wood chips-that ok?

[Charlet_2007]

i feed mine baby toads if you can find them now its up to 50 cent peace toads... i also have potting soil for bedding.. a rock and a fake plant for mine..

[flakgunner]

Originally Posted by Saphyre_rose

I have her in a mix of gravel(larger sized) and wood chips-that ok?

hey,
personally,I've found the green reptile carpet to work very good,down side would be that in cleaning,you have to remove everything,to get the carpet out,but I look at this as positive,with everything removed,assures a good
cleaning,everytime.The carpet is easily sprayed down with a garden hose,and hung to dry,plus the set-up gets rearranged every week.

Joe