not eating - calcium?

[MichaelSmith]

Hi All.
Our Lovely Sugar the eastern garter snake is not eating.
[snip]

He spent his first 6 months in an elementary school science lab before I rescued him in December (they did not want him anymore because all but he and the anoles had died). There he was fed only fatty minnows in the goldfish family and kept too cold and too humid. I've changed his diet (no more goldfish) and habitat of course.

[snip]

Hi - what was this snake eating between the time you rescued him and this summer? If there was something -even goldfish - he was taking, then I'd try that again rather than force-feeding. You might then gradually be able to shift over to something healthier.

Do you have a photo? You're sure it's an eastern garter?

Hope things get better.

[ephemerata]

I am posting two photos:
one of Sugar from the side today, I have counted 8 bumps
another eating his last big meal in July, to see whole body and if he is an eastern garter
Thanks to all for their ideas - will try anything

[ephemerata]

Hi - what was this snake eating between the time you rescued him and this summer? If there was something -even goldfish - he was taking, then I'd try that again rather than force-feeding. You might then gradually be able to shift over to something healthier.

Do you have a photo? You're sure it's an eastern garter?

Hope things get better.

I'll un-liberate a goldfish from my pond soon. Back before I knew goldfish weren't the best diet, we used to have a snake act (along with a hoop jumping cat trick) for visitors to my in-home museum where I would hold the fish from tail and Sugar the snake would eat it in a few seconds. The kids loved it. Maybe he will remember that and do it again.

[ephemerata]

Sugar ate three earthworms!
He has broken his fast...hasn't eaten since mid July!

Gardening today I found some juicy, wild, wriggling earthworms, all fat from organic soil, and I put one in his tank. It was gone when I checked a few minutes later and I could not find it ... Wasn't too sure til took him out and while he was basking in the afternoon sun up in the avocado tree, I dangled another in front and he ate it up! I was so excited when he went for it I got goose bumps. Since then he ate one more in his tank ... or at least it has disappeared

Yahoo

[guidofatherof5]

Sugar ate three earthworms!
He has broken his fast...hasn't eaten since mid July!

Gardening today I found some juicy, wild, wriggling earthworms, all fat from organic soil, and I put one in his tank. It was gone when I checked a few minutes later and I could not find it ... Wasn't too sure til took him out and while he was basking in the afternoon sun up in the avocado tree, I dangled another in front and he ate it up! I was so excited when he went for it I got goose bumps. Since then he ate one more in his tank ... or at least it has disappeared

Yahoo

Great job, Jen & Sugar. I have found feeding too much all at once to a long time non-eater can cause them to regeurgitate. Take it easy for a day or so. Check to make sure they are pooping. After that, pile it on, someone has some catching up to do.

[ephemerata]

Great job, Jen & Sugar. I have found feeding too much all at once to a long time non-eater can cause them to regeurgitate. Take it easy for a day or so. Check to make sure they are pooping. After that, pile it on, someone has some catching up to do.

Thank you, Steve. It has not passed yet so I will hold on more. That is good to know.
cheers!