New to snakes from SC with 2 baby garters! (pics&vids)

[SilentWrath*]

Hey everyone, I'm Andrew.

New to the forum and new to snakes, I received two baby garter snakes from a friend.

Their names are Jay and Silent Bob.
Not sure what kind they are specifically, the mother had some red in her.
They are about 1 week old, and have already gone thru about 15 minnows.

Here's a few pictures:

Silent Bob wriggling around on my hand.



Here's a shot of their setup.



Jay burrowed down poking his head out.



Here's a video of Silent Bob on my hand:



Here's a video of Jay eating a minnow:

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard.

[Snakers]

If they are native to South Carolina they are easterns and pretty ones at that! May I ask though, what type of minnows are those?

[Snakers]

Oh forgot and welcome!

[Dameco13]

welcome

[SilentWrath*]

If they are native to South Carolina they are easterns and pretty ones at that! May I ask though, what type of minnows are those?

I got them from a local pet store when their garter had babies. The mother had some red in her.

As far as the minnows go, they are just the feeder minnows the pet store had recommended they eat.
After researching on here I am finding out minnows may contain thiaminase (sp.)

What do you guys recommend me to be feeding the babies?

Also I have read that garter snakes must have it dry so they don't get a skin disease, then I read that babies need some moisture.
Can anyone go into more detail about this for me??

Any help is greatly greatly appreciated!

[guidofatherof5]

Welcome to the forum. A great place to start is the care sheet:Garter Snake Care Sheet - Caresheets
Guppies and cut up night crawlers are good for babies. Earthworms also work well. I really encourage you to read the care sheet. It will answer many of your questions.
If you have a water dish for the babies that should do well. Just make sure they are finding it and using it. Offer food everyday until you get them established.
Once again, thanks for joining the forum.

[Dameco13]

i've been feeding my zippy nightcrawlers since i got him from petco. They also told me to feed it minnows but i researched on this site and discovered they were not a good choice. I followed the advice of guido and now my snake is in love with nightcrawlers. I've even started a worm farm to have a continuous supply. I recommend Nightcrawlers.

[Mommy2many]

Just an update. You can feed them minnows, if they are dace minnows. They are local to our streams up North. I am not sure about the South, however. Those at the pet store are probably not dace minnows. Night crawlers are like mac 'n cheese to garters; comfort food. Not really the best but oh so good! Pinkies provide the best nutrition and you can supplement with salmon or tilapia from the fish dept. of your supermarket. Many of us on the forum provide our snakes with all of the above, on a rotating schedule. As long as you offer some of each, or variety, you will be OK. My W/C garters enjoy all of the above. So do the babies. Good luck and welcome!

[SilentWrath*]

I haven't updated in a while but Jay and Silent Bob are great.

They continue to shed and grow like little weeds. Jay is now over 23 inches, and is the biggest by far.

I also have acquired two Thamnophis pickeringii, Puget Sound Garters!!!
Their names are Ted Bundy and Whulj, and they are now feeding on nightcrawlers and growing well also.

Here's a few pics of Whulj: