After three meals, I am puzzled

[Serpico]

My couple of garters has been with us for three weeks, now, and I waited some days before giving them their first meal; I was hunting for nightcrawlers, both because you people advice on that, and also because I did remember my first couple, long time ago, mostly ate those worms, and some beef meat cut in stripe, from time to time.

So, two weeks ago, I presented Mila and Shiro with some small stripes of salmon. The male gobbled one piece istantly, but the female was reluctant, so I made a mistake: i left about 10 small pieces of salmon on a dish, and went away. Fifteen minutes later, the salmon chunks were no more, and a distintive bulge presented on the male's belly. The female did not show much, but I could be wrong here. So, I presume he ate almost all of the salmon, and she ate "maybe" one piece.

One week ago, a bit less than a week, actually, I came on with trout, this time.
He ate one piece only, she ate the rest, seven pieces. I noticed that he was not going at it with the same gusto reserved for salmon.

Today I arrived home with some small fish..latin name is Atherina boyeri, and I heated them for 5 minutes at a bit less than 100° just in case.....
Well, she gobbled 2 big ones (next time, pictures), he simply ignored them.
And I took pain taking the female out of the viv for one hour, and left the male inside with his two fish...but no joy, they were found there, untouched.

Do I have to worry, or I'll go back to salmon asap? To my knowledge, the male's last good meal has been about 15 days ago.....I know they can stay without food for longer time..but....

Thanks for any advice, hugs to all!

Pg

PS the fish were taken by the female directly from my hand!!!

[katach]

He could be getting ready to brumate. It's that time of the year.

[jitami]

I would offer him some salmon when you can. Basically, I offer my guys a meal that they have eaten in the past. If they don't eat it I don't worry about it, but since you don't know yet whether he's not interested in any food or simply doesn't like what's being offered I would try to get him something you know he'll eat (salmon) and see how it goes. You can always freeze the remainder for later.

boy, that's a run on sentence. Hope you understand what I mean.

[guidofatherof5]

Do a salmon mix(with other food items). Mostly salmon.
This way he will acquire some of the new taste and eventually come to accept it as another food item.
Just an idea.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Every fish is different and has a unique scent. The snakes pick up on this and not all snakes will eat all types of fish, or may have to be persuaded to do so.

[Serpico]

Thanks folks.
The mixing which could work as scenting and conditioning in one strike only crossed my mind.
Next time in the market I'll get some salmon, trout and Atherina boyeri (latterino, in italian)..

((The latter ones is fantastic, when deep fried, I know! ))

Regarding brumation, I am not sure, the temperatures here in Rome are still quite high. At night the minimum goes down to 19C° (66 F), and the max is up to 30C (86F)....what is supposed to be the brumation temperature?

And I have noticed that while at 3 am the infra red lamp goes on, to raise the viv temperature a bit, and in the morning I always find them in the "cold" side of the viv itself, NOT under the lamp.

/me waves a big thanks to all!

Pg

[Serpico]

Now, I am worried.
I gave them salmon mixed with trout, and while she gobbled three pieces, he steadily refused all, both fish, given with long handle; I left some fish lumps alone, and they are still untouched....
He is fast, alert, tongue flicking, curious like every thamnophis, but he refuses food and he spends his time without being very active, at least when I see them.
Ah, and he is not starting a shed. And the temperatures outside exclude a brumation....I think.

What do I do?

Hugs
Pg

[Mrs N1ntndo]

my snakes dont care for salmon so they actully refuse that for the most part. Have you tried Tilapia. My Eastern garters love it . I give a piece of worm with a little bit of the scent of tilapia on it and then som fish. they eat a mixture but some mainly like the worms and dont eat much of the fish. I dont mix mix them together. Have you thought that maybe they are liking the food your giving them. Just asking.

[Serpico]

As weird it may sound, I have not found a recognizable name in italian for the fish Tilapia, so I do not know if I could even offer it to them....

I may go on and on offering other kinds of fish, I guess....I still have shark, swordfish...

My problem is that in Rome nightcrawlers are not available, everybody sells red wrigglers. I may go dig in the park, maybe.

Please, advice!

Pg

[guidofatherof5]

Grab a shovel buddy.