New Garter owner: food question?

[NancyG]

Thank you everyone who has replied! my apologies for not posting sooner.
Based on internet picture searches my snake is Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis, though I think his color is a bit 'dirtier' than some of the pictures out there..
I found out a bit more from his previous owner, His mother was wild caught, and pregnant when captured.
Based on the sexing pics. I think he's male, the tail seems pretty long, and does not sharply taper at the cloaca - So I think Persephone is a Perseus.

Thank you on the food help! I will check into the Silver Sides. The nightcrawlers I've seen at the pet store are HUGE, I don't think he could eat a whole one, and they are thick enough I'm not sure he could get pieces down. But perhaps I can try it. The previous owner did post on this site trying to find a home for him, and mentioned here that he was eating several foods.

Based on what I'm reading about these guys.. I'm rather surprised they are not more commonly seen as pets, The food variety makes them easier to feed, and it seems like they are more interactive. They don't get very big (drawback and a plus both?) and the some of the morphs are amazing.

[ConcinusMan]

I think his color is a bit 'dirtier' than some of the pictures out there..

They vary in color and pattern from place to place (and individuals in a population can vary in appearance) just like any other garter species or subspecies. But if you're sure he's from Iowa locality it's very easy to I.D. since the only other garters there aren't likely to be mistaken for a red sided.

Thank you on the food help! I will check into the Silver Sides. The nightcrawlers I've seen at the pet store are HUGE, I don't think he could eat a whole one

Size doesn't matter. You want to cut them even if your snake is 3ft because whole live ones have a tendency to crawl right back out after being swallowed. I feed even huge night crawlers to newborn snakes you just have to cut them up. Sharp scissors works best.

Based on what I'm reading about these guys.. I'm rather surprised they are not more commonly seen as pets, The food variety makes them easier to feed, and it seems like they are more interactive. They don't get very big (drawback and a plus both?) and the some of the morphs are amazing.

I think you just nailed some key reasons why we like them so much.