Checkered garter not eating

[d_virginiana]

A 'pinkie mouse' feeding means a feeding of pinkie mice, not a single mouse. I think you know I'm not feeding my snakes one mouse per week. Really.

"When they don't feed for two weeks, trust me something is wrong"
It sounds to me that you are implying two weeks without food is inherently dangerous or an indication of a serious health problem. Though, if you could point me to where it is "Clearly written into the literature" that garters should eat every two to four days, I may revise my opinion.

There is nothing inherently dangerous about brumation. I never said that. It is, however, a tricky thing to cool down a snake safely and then warm them up again if someone has never done it before and doesn't have a lot of experience changing up temps like that. There are also the inherent risks in brumating any animal that it can aggravate underlying health conditions. Thus making brumation a more complicated and potentially dangerous solution than offering a different food item. It can absolutely be done safely, but IMO it's ridiculous to suggest that before a dietary change has even been offered.

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ObsidianDragon, I'm glad he ate. It still won't hurt to pick up some nightcrawlers (you can cut them up) and some silversides to try scenting with. A new smell on the food may get him more excited about eating. Plus, I like to think they appreciate the occasional new food item :P

[Albert Clark]

A 'pinkie mouse' feeding means a feeding of pinkie mice, not a single mouse. I think you know I'm not feeding my snakes one mouse per week. Really.

"When they don't feed for two weeks, trust me something is wrong"
It sounds to me that you are implying two weeks without food is inherently dangerous or an indication of a serious health problem. Though, if you could point me to where it is "Clearly written into the literature" that garters should eat every two to four days, I may revise my opinion.

There is nothing inherently dangerous about brumation. I never said that. It is, however, a tricky thing to cool down a snake safely and then warm them up again if someone has never done it before and doesn't have a lot of experience changing up temps like that. There are also the inherent risks in brumating any animal that it can aggravate underlying health conditions. Thus making brumation a more complicated and potentially dangerous solution than offering a different food item. It can absolutely be done safely, but IMO it's ridiculous to suggest that before a dietary change has even been offered.

----------------------------

ObsidianDragon, I'm glad he ate. It still won't hurt to pick up some nightcrawlers (you can cut them up) and some silversides to try scenting with. A new smell on the food may get him more excited about eating. Plus, I like to think they appreciate the occasional new food item :P

Clearly written in the literature "The Garter Snakes evolution and ecology by Rossman, Ford and Seigel. Page122 of chapter 6 titled "Care in Captivity". Among other literature that defines the preferred feeding regimen of captive garters.