Raising a wild garter and have questions.

[alihauck]

I couldn't post pictures for some reason. Will try to make an album. I do believe it is a red-Sided Garter. I have taken away the dirt and put down paper towel for now. I will get either the eco-earth or Aspen shavings as soon as I can get to a bigger center.

[guidofatherof5]

Good looking snake. I would have to go with T. s. parietalis - Red Sided Garter Snake.
Be very careful of that "Critter Keeper" Snakes have been known to get their heads stuck in the opening or small holes.
A hot glue will take care of any small holes. Watch out for opening in the handle area also.

[ConcinusMan]

He looks a little on the thin side but not too bad. I wouldn't use a critter keeper at all myself. Besides you need to get him setup with a heat source and temperature gradient soon then start giving him some fish or even chopped pinkies in the diet too. Critter keeper won't do for that. A 10 gallon tank with secure screen lid or clear plastic tub and an undertank heater would work. Seems like he's just a baby. Is he very small?

[alihauck]

When I changed to plain paper towel, Slither was kind of upset, it kept trying to burrow under ground (I have found it completely buried before) I also had his dinner (worms) living right in the container. You should have seen Slither hunting!

[alihauck]

Hey, has anyone ever raised worms? I had the thought that I could set up a worm farm and have Slithers food year round. Any other suggestions? All are welcome!
Thanks!

P.S. I am sorry for the multiple posts, but for some reason I keep getting denied. It says I have too many URLS when I don't have any?!? When I shorten my post it posts just fine.

[alihauck]

Yeah, I was just putting it somewhere until I can get somewhere that might have something better. All holes were sealed before I placed it in. Slither has been growing well, I got it just over a month ago (you should have seen how small it was then!) and haven't actually measured it yet (too scared to get that close) but I have been watching it and the growth is noticeable.

[ConcinusMan]

I got it just over a month ago (you should have seen how small it was then!) and haven't actually measured it yet (too scared to get that close) but I have been watching it and the growth is noticeable.

Eating and growing are always good signs. I have no frame of reference in the photos to judge his size but there are other cues that indicate to me that he is probably only about 2 months old and pretty small. If he hasn't shed for you yet he's probably only grown about an inch but that's still pretty good. If another month passes without a shed I would start to be concerned that he isn't growing at a healthy pace.

If you can't get him some supplemental heat very soon he is at risk of getting an R.I. (respiratory infection). Without a tank big enough to provide a temperature gradient (low 70's air temp (23 C) w/ localized spot in the low to upper 80's (30 C)and night temps no lower than upper 60's(20 C) ) he can't thermoregulate properly and this will stress/weaken his immune system and stunt his growth. I can't stress how important it is that you do this sooner rather than later. In addition to the problems I already mentioned, without heat his instincts might tell him it's time to brumate and he might stop eating. If that happens he will need to be kept at a constant 10 C in order to survive the winter without losing too much weight.

Until you get this set up for him, try to put him in a warm place that stays around 26-28 C. Sometimes a closet/area with a water heater can provide that but make sure there is good fresh air/ventilation if it's a natural gas heater. I've incubated reptile eggs successfully by placing them near water heaters.

I'm very serious don't wait too long. Last guy that had a red sided and ignored this need for 2 months ended up with a very sick snake on his hands.

[guidofatherof5]

We have a few members that raise worms.
I also know there are plenty of YouTube video and website that will give you lots of good advice.

[alihauck]

What kind of worms are best?

[guidofatherof5]

Lumbricus terrestris - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia