new wild garter

[dejamitch]

i have a wild garter i caught a few weeks ago. i have kept wild garters b4 and never had a problem keeping them. but this snake is the largest ( about 22 inches ). he wont eat anything. any help?

[kibakiba]

It's normal for them at this time of the year. They're all going into hibernation right now.

[dejamitch]

thanks i was getting worried. he still has a small live mouse in his home, should i take it out or leave it for when he does decide to get hungry. he is in a 55 gallon tank so he has plenty of room.

[chris-uk]

I'd take the mouse out. There aren't many people that would advocate feeding live mice for starters. Few garters will eat grown mice, so it may be hungry but seeing the wrong food, so you could try it on fish instead.

Are you planning to keep the snake warm to prevent it brumating? If you plan to avoid brumation you can keep offering food, but if you're going to brumate the snake then you need to stop feeding.
There's a load of posts already about brumation, and also taking the temps down slightly to get a snake through the non-eating phase and back eating.

[Jeff B]

You definately should not leave the mouse in with the snake mice will chew on a snake, leaving them grossly disfigured or dead. This is not regurgitated hearsay, I have had it happen unfortunately.
Try fish or nightcrawler and if he doesn't eat, then put him somewhere cool and dark for a couple months, keeping the water bowl fresh. Garters often like to soak in the water during brumation so check it regularly and keep it clean.

[guidofatherof5]

Good advice Jeff.

[katach]

If you want to feed mice, go with previously frozen, then thawed pinkie mice (newborn mice). As said before though mice is not a normal food item in the wild, it may take scenting for your snake to take it. Nightcrawlers is your best bet, but fish from the safe list in the care sheet will work too. Welcome to the forum family!! We all love pictures too.

Garter Snake Care Sheet - Caresheets

[dejamitch]

i took the mouse out...so no more worries about that...i've been trying to entice him with nightcrawlers. i'll put it right in front of him and he wont take it, then i just left it in the tank and found it the next day uneaten. he may already be in his brumation. he is in his water bowl alot and hangs out near it most of the day almost as he is guarding it. thank u all so much for the advice. this is my first serious snake. i really enjoy having him. when is a good time to start trying to handle him?

[katach]

I would give him a few weeks to settle in to his new surroundings. Then you can start the bonding process. If he's really jumpy just start by putting your hand in the enclosure and being still. He'll get used to your presence and start coming to you to investigate you. Our snakes are all pretty calm now, we sit and watch movies together, or play on the computer.

[dejamitch]

my snake still wont eat!!!!!!!!