Ribbons and garters,, ^^

[Ringosmama]

ohhh so mine wont change much?

[kibakiba]

Probably not, more experienced members could tell you more probably, but in my own experience, they don't. Mama's also gone from black to very dark brown with black spots.

[Ringosmama]

ohhh cool!!! i hope he grows and everything goes right!

[kibakiba]

As long as you feed him, give him clean water every day and give him lots of love I'm sure he'll be just fine

[Ringosmama]

ok ok so about parasites, are they common??

[Selkielass]

ok ok so about parasites, are they common??

I got lucky with Abby- she had no mites (Or shed them and they were discarded along with the damp moss I had her in for the first couple days after I found her.) and tested clan for worms when I had a fecal float done by a local vet.

If you are keeping Ringo on white paper towel substrate, you will see black pepper like spots on the paper towel or in his water dish if he has mites- *then* you can look into treatment options.

He's just a bayby though- you *might* have found him before he had a chance to pick anything up. (We can hope, eh?)

Abby was about 13 inches long when I found her, and I got her to take a pinky mouse about a month after I found her- It had been thoroughly and repeatedly scented with worm slime, and I teased her with it by manipulating it on the substrate with a pair of black plastic feeding tongs that I'm pretty sure she sees as another snake. (She acts like she is stealing the other snakes food, and looks very satisfied with her cleverness.)

I've managed to get Abby to look forward to handling by feeding her only after a handling session. When we get her out, she goes into alert mode, and if hungry cruises around alertly but calmly, exploring our hands and arms. When returned to her cage, she immediately goes to the foilage 'where the food is' and hides in waiting until the food makes its appearance. (Sometimes just a tiny worm snack, sometimes more, as appropriate.)

When 'that other snake' (The feeding tongs) makes its appearance, she immediately comes out rearing like a cobra, sneaks up on her 'victim' and 'viciously' steals his lunch, looking very pleased with herself by the whole process. Its good fun for everyone, and she seems to enjoy handling more now that the associates it with hunting and food when she returns home.

[kibakiba]

Honestly, I wouldn't know. Luckily I haven't had any problems with them. I read that they're somewhat common in wc garters, but an experienced member could answer your question, I'm sure!

[Ringosmama]

yeah i read that and i was kinda like uh..

[Ringosmama]

and whats the best way to START a snake on pinkies? i still havent tryed feeding him, i want to get him on pickies..

[infernalis]

Several methods work well.

Try rubbing fish all over the pinkie first, then offer it by holding in tongs in the snakes face.

another method is to put a pinkie or two in the water dish with a couple swimming fish.

I'm sure there are others... these two ways work great for me.

Many times the snake will gobble up the pinkies as well as the fish.