Gail, the tank you have is the one that I have...I love them...I actually have two of them and plan to get more. I love the slide lock lids because they are so escape proof. The language that Steve is speaking is the language of snake identification. He is talking about the different kind of scales on the snake...mainly the scales on upper lip of the snakes mouth and the scales located under the stripe going down the middle of the snake's back...we count those scales to identify species and subspecies in garters. There is a book, The Garter Snakes: Evolution and Ecology, by Rossman, Ford, and Seigel, that is available on Amazon that we use as sort of our bible for garters. It's really the best book around for garter info. It explains all of the identification stuff. As far as feeding goes, you will get the hang of it. It is one of those things that you have to kind of feel out with experience...for now, I would say why don't you try feeding her every 5 days. Alternate between fish and worms and pinkies each feeding...that's what I do. Give her enough food until you see a nice bulge in her tummy. Like I said, I feed Cee Cee about two pinkies worth of food every 5 days. Zena looks to be about Cee Cee's size. If you feed her fish, just try to size it out to be about the same amount as two pinkies worth. If you give her worms...I would say that probably 3-4 nice size worms would be good....but just watch that tummy bulge, if she looks nice and full after 3 worms, you can stop feeding her. You will get the hang of it, I promise. I know it's tough at first...I was confused too.

As far as supplements go...some people use them and some people don't...it's a judgement call. Some people think the food provides enough nutrients, some don't. I dust the food with a little calcium and D3 powder every fourth feeding with my snakes. If you want the name of the supplement or more specific instructions on how to use it...just ask.