My First Garter

tyler_johnson0309 · 04-27-2008, 08:53 PM

I picked up my first garter yesterday from a local pet store. i live in middle tennessee so i was a little hesitant to buy a garter snake since you see them all the time in the sumer here. but since they were selling them for only 10 dollars. and boy am i happy! they were feeding it goldfish at the pet store which i thought was cool. so i got home set up his tank and put 3 goldfish in his bowl. by this afternoon all 3 were gone. so he obviously is eating well. but is it common for them to eat this much? especially after moving just a little over 24 hours ago? so the first thing i checked out was alternative food sources because the thought of going to the pet store everyday to buy goldfish wasnt very appealing. are there any that you have found to work well for you. i would like to stick with live food just for the wow factor. i have a leopard gecko and a corn snake as well. i tried to feed him one of my geckos meal worms but showed no interest. also i was thinking about breeding since i have been interested in breeding reptiles for the past couple of years. i currently have him in a 10 gallon aquarium would it be ok to put in 1 or 2 more? also im not sure if it is a boy or a girl if i happen to get another boy will that cause conflict? i know this was a long post and im sorry but im just very excited and trying to get as much info as possible. Thanks

adamanteus · 04-28-2008, 01:31 AM

Hi Tyler, and welcome to the forum

. Congratulations on your first captive Garter.
It would be wise to get him off Goldfish as quickly as possible, as they are toxic. Trout or salmon pieces are an excellent alternative. You will find that Garters don't eat invertebrates such as mealworms. Try nightcrawlers.

Odie · 04-28-2008, 02:17 AM

Hi, from Oregon, Tyler

count dewclaw · 04-28-2008, 05:34 AM

Hello and welcome. Check out the articles page (see tab above) it has a caresheet to give you alot of the information you're looking for.

Stefan-A · 04-28-2008, 05:36 AM

Welcome aboard, Tyler.

anji1971 · 04-28-2008, 06:37 AM

Hello and welcome!

Definitely get your garter feeding on something other than goldfish! Try nightcrawlers -- they usually love them.
I think a 10 gallon tank is fine for now, but it will not be fine for more than one, or if you have a female. She'll grow too big for that tank eventually.

enigma200316 · 04-28-2008, 07:21 AM

welcome to the forum, and you have had good advise, you will find all you need here and if there is any questions don't be afraid to ask, thats what we're here for...........................

EdgyExoticReptiles · 04-28-2008, 08:00 AM

a 29 gallon is a good size for a pair, oh and u must post pictures of your snake

its the rule

Snaky · 04-29-2008, 03:47 AM

Welcome to the forum and have fun here

Snake lover 3-25 · 04-29-2008, 03:50 PM

I found that every snake i have caught loves tilapia and will take it right away... mine dont like salmon... but i haven't tried trout...

04-27-2008, 08:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
tyler_johnson0309 Hi, I'm New Here! Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1 Country:	My First Garter I picked up my first garter yesterday from a local pet store. i live in middle tennessee so i was a little hesitant to buy a garter snake since you see them all the time in the sumer here. but since they were selling them for only 10 dollars. and boy am i happy! they were feeding it goldfish at the pet store which i thought was cool. so i got home set up his tank and put 3 goldfish in his bowl. by this afternoon all 3 were gone. so he obviously is eating well. but is it common for them to eat this much? especially after moving just a little over 24 hours ago? so the first thing i checked out was alternative food sources because the thought of going to the pet store everyday to buy goldfish wasnt very appealing. are there any that you have found to work well for you. i would like to stick with live food just for the wow factor. i have a leopard gecko and a corn snake as well. i tried to feed him one of my geckos meal worms but showed no interest. also i was thinking about breeding since i have been interested in breeding reptiles for the past couple of years. i currently have him in a 10 gallon aquarium would it be ok to put in 1 or 2 more? also im not sure if it is a boy or a girl if i happen to get another boy will that cause conflict? i know this was a long post and im sorry but im just very excited and trying to get as much info as possible. Thanks

04-28-2008, 01:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
adamanteus Moderator Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cheshire. (Near Manchester). Posts: 6,632 Country:	Re: My First Garter Hi Tyler, and welcome to the forum. Congratulations on your first captive Garter. It would be wise to get him off Goldfish as quickly as possible, as they are toxic. Trout or salmon pieces are an excellent alternative. You will find that Garters don't eat invertebrates such as mealworms. Try nightcrawlers. __________________ James.

04-28-2008, 02:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
Odie "Third shed, A Success" Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 456 Country:	Re: My First Garter Hi, from Oregon, Tyler

04-28-2008, 05:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
count dewclaw "Preparing For Second shed" Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fingerlakes Region New York Posts: 222 Country:	Re: My First Garter Hello and welcome. Check out the articles page (see tab above) it has a caresheet to give you alot of the information you're looking for. __________________ LeAnn http://www.keepsakeknits.com

04-28-2008, 05:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
Stefan-A The Prince of Insufficient Light. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Finland Posts: 4,104 Country:	Re: My First Garter Welcome aboard, Tyler. __________________ Natura non contristatur

04-28-2008, 06:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
anji1971 Finder of unique Garters Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Windsor, Ontario Posts: 1,659 Country:	Re: My First Garter Hello and welcome! Definitely get your garter feeding on something other than goldfish! Try nightcrawlers -- they usually love them. I think a 10 gallon tank is fine for now, but it will not be fine for more than one, or if you have a female. She'll grow too big for that tank eventually. __________________ Anji

04-28-2008, 07:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
enigma200316 Basilisk (The King of all Serpents) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Eastern, US Posts: 1,733 Country:	Re: My First Garter welcome to the forum, and you have had good advise, you will find all you need here and if there is any questions don't be afraid to ask, thats what we're here for........................... __________________ "Can't wait for World Meeting 2009" Justin... 0.0.1 parietalis 0.1.3 similis

04-28-2008, 08:00 AM	#8 (permalink)
EdgyExoticReptiles Edgy Exotic Reptiles Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,059 Country:	Re: My First Garter a 29 gallon is a good size for a pair, oh and u must post pictures of your snake its the rule __________________ Email: edgyexoticreptiles@yahoo.com AIM: reed_kamsla http://www.edgyexoticreptiles.com

04-29-2008, 03:47 AM	#9 (permalink)
Snaky "PM Boots For Custom Title" Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,453 Country:	Re: My First Garter Welcome to the forum and have fun here __________________ Greetz, Hans Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free. -The Shawshank Redemption- www.kousebandslangen.nl

04-29-2008, 03:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
Snake lover 3-25 "Preparing For Fourth shed" Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New York Posts: 734 Country:	Re: My First Garter I found that every snake i have caught loves tilapia and will take it right away... mine dont like salmon... but i haven't tried trout... __________________ S h a n l e y

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