Feeding garters

[Dragonbeards]

So this whole issue of a snake as a pet is very touchy with my mom. She hates snakes in the first place, so I'm lucky to have the opportunity to keep one at all. When I brought up that garters ate mice, she backpeddled, and I had to let her know that they would eat other things too.

Mom seems most favorable on the idea of them eating worms. We keep fish, so having guppies just to be eaten wouldn't appeal to her, and I'm not so sure that she would be appreciative of me feeding it frogs (I'm not even sure where I'd get them).

Is a worm only diet healthy for garters? What else would I have to feed to make sure it was in top health (according to what I have read, just a calcium supplement, am I right)?

Thanks,

Dragonbeards

[mb90078]

You could probably get away with a worm-based diet along with supplements. But have you considered feeding them "people-fish"? Like grocery store bought salmon? That would help to bring some variety to their diet.

[guidofatherof5]

I think many garters eat a close to worm only diet and do OK.
Frozen/thawed fish(salmon, Tilapia, Trout) is also something you could feed.
I would suggest you be very careful with where this frozen fish is coming from. I would avoid any "Product of China" fish.
Be sure to checkout the caresheet as it will give you many more feeding ideas along with answers other questions you might have. Garter Snake Care Sheet - Caresheets

Let your Mom know that the mice you are talking about can be bought already dead and frozen.
Let us know how things are going.
Be sure to thank your Mom for even considering you having a snake. That's a hard thing to do for someone that doesn't like snakes.

[radtad]

I have feed strips of Talpia as well and it is very inexpensive and can to the diet as well as silversides you get from a fish store. They are frozen just thaw and serve

[Dragonbeards]

I might try a diet of worms and f/t fish. Worms I can raise easily, and can be always on hand for when I have no fish. And looks like a package of silversides isn't too much either (I survive on allowance, so money is a big issue).

My mom does know that the mice are pre-killed. Even that won't convince her (she also hates mice). In her words, "I'm not going to have a box of dead mice in my refrigerator."

She's been thanked numerous times. I love my parents, bout three years ago this time, we had just two dogs. After Midnight (one of our cats, long story), now look at my siggy .

EDIT: Quick question, what size silversides would a garter be fed? I've seen "small" size 1" and "large" size 1 1/2-2" on websites.

[kibakiba]

My baby snake eats just worms and my adults will eat worms readily every few days and they seem to be fine. I lightly dust the worms with calcium powder ever month-month and a half I usually feed pinkies though.

As for the silver sides I would imagine it depends on the size of your garter. I wouldn't know though as I don't feed mine fish

[radtad]

Depends on big your snake is I always buy the biggest I can and then cut them if they are to big.

[Flicker]

I think it makes a difference which species of garter you select as well. Some garters subsist naturally on mostly worms in the wild... others really depend more on fish and amphibians and might suffer or need supplements on a worm only diet.

Also, if you select a snake that isn't used to eating fish in the wild, I'm doubtful you'd be able to get them to take strips of larger fish. So, you might want to research the normal feeding habits of any snake you're thinking of selecting as part of the process.

You could always feed them crickets

Hahahahhaha - JUST JOKING!!!!

[Snakers]

You could always feed them crickets

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[aSnakeLovinBabe]

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lol! that smiley is the best