a couple of questions...

[GarterGeek]

Welcome! What Stefan-A says is correct.

[Montys_Mom]

bought a pinkie...damn they are cute...and am now trying to convince Monty that it is good for him. He checked it out, but went back to his water bowl. I tried scenting it with a fish but he isn't falling for it. Now, should I let the little thing just lay in there and die?? or should I hide it in the freezer and try again? My hubby will snag it and try syringe feeding it if he sees it in the house (dont ask), and i have to admit I have a thing for critters so this is really really strange for me. I want to take care of the pinkie not let it "suffer" unless Monty will eat it right away. The fish never bothered me, but well mice are a bit different. I may need therapy after this!

[guidofatherof5]

bought a pinkie...damn they are cute...and am now trying to convince Monty that it is good for him. He checked it out, but went back to his water bowl. I tried scenting it with a fish but he isn't falling for it. Now, should I let the little thing just lay in there and die?? or should I hide it in the freezer and try again? My hubby will snag it and try syringe feeding it if he sees it in the house (dont ask), and i have to admit I have a thing for critters so this is really really strange for me. I want to take care of the pinkie not let it "suffer" unless Monty will eat it right away. The fish never bothered me, but well mice are a bit different. I may need therapy after this!

I'd put it in the freezer and save it for another feed time. I use pre-frozen mice so I don't have to deal with those live animal problems. Seems strange that your snake won't take it even after scenting. You might let your snake skip a meal or two and get good and hungry. Most hungry garter won't turn down anything. Once they get that taste in their brain they will remember it and take them readily.
Worms for my snakes seem to be the food of choice in that they never turn them down.
Best of luck and keep us posted.

[Montys_Mom]

wrapped it up and froze it...warned the family not to touch the foil wrapped strange package in the freezer lest they be grossed out. I will let him pout about food for a couple more days and see how it goes. There have been times he has struck at my daughter touching the glass of his tank or struck at water being poured into his bowl. Watching him circle and crawl over the mouse then disregard it was a curiosity. Will keep ya posted because finding guppies around here is next to impossible...at least at a pet store. Any other ideas? I mean, if he prefers fish, I won't traumatize myself or family with pinkies and just let him have what he likes. Would adding a vitamin supplement to his water help? Every new thing I find out makes me feel like such a newbie and a bad snake mommy because I feel I have done everything wrong for the year I have had him.

Thanks again!

[guidofatherof5]

wrapped it up and froze it...warned the family not to touch the foil wrapped strange package in the freezer lest they be grossed out. I will let him pout about food for a couple more days and see how it goes. There have been times he has struck at my daughter touching the glass of his tank or struck at water being poured into his bowl. Watching him circle and crawl over the mouse then disregard it was a curiosity. Will keep ya posted because finding guppies around here is next to impossible...at least at a pet store. Any other ideas? I mean, if he prefers fish, I won't traumatize myself or family with pinkies and just let him have what he likes. Would adding a vitamin supplement to his water help? Every new thing I find out makes me feel like such a newbie and a bad snake mommy because I feel I have done everything wrong for the year I have had him.

Thanks again!

You're doing fine. Mine would eat Rosy's all day if I let them. They don't care if it's bad for them. Kind of like bacon for people.
You have to bend his little will. Get him switched over to safer foods.He'll see things your way.

[Mommy2many]

My guys will eat Salmon. Try that. F/T pinkies also work.

[Montys_Mom]

I will try to find a small amount of salmon to try...

I put a fake plant in his tank tonight and he immediately went over to check it out. Next thing he is climbing all over it and having fun. Will be getting more for him asap. My son was nice and bought a large water bowl but Monty refuses to take his food in it or even bother getting in the darn thing. He loves his small bowl, which he is way too large for but I guess it makes hunting easier. Am thinking of turning the large water bowl into a grassy area for him that I can easily remove and trim up as needed and the water will stay put. What would be a safe 'dirt' to do this with? Afraid to use anything plant related, and we have no dirt areas in our yard anymore. Would peat moss work okay and be safe for him? I also have some branches from a peach tree I am letting dry out and will bake...do I have to debark this?

Thanks for putting up with me.