Not eating?

[adamanteus]

I'm not saying it looks sick. I don't want to scare you or seem to be pessimistic.... but these snakes are well known for their parasite load, and this one is thin. The best bet is to let your vet take a faecal floatation and treat for the parasites he finds.

[SnakeBabe1454]

Thanks James,
so what do you think? Does he look better in this pic? Or still sick?

[drache]

got the pic
he doesn't look too skinny to me
their bodies tend to be not quite like ribbons - sort of between garters and ribbons
but he's likely to have parasites either way
if you can get him to a vet, that would be great
when you make an appointment, make sure the vet is experienced with reptiles
if they aren't, they may still be able to run a fecal check for you, so ask
but also be aware that some parasites may not show up in the stool
there are some that will just show up after a few months subcutaneously
best to keep this snake separate from others for a while
when I had mine, I never did keep them with any others

[SnakeBabe1454]

Ok thanks guys

[adamanteus]

Thanks James,
so what do you think? Does he look better in this pic? Or still sick?

Not sick.... he looks 'dowdy', but he may be in slough. I still think he's thin. In the second pic on this thread there are loose skin folds visible.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Sadly it looks like the old pics are gone, but folds of skin are a bad sign, sometimes, an overnight soak can help that a lot. I can see even in that picture that his back takes on a triangular shape and I know it's really hard to see in this pic but having seen/kept this species enough, I can tell he is too thin. His body should be solidly round and robust, his looks kind of loose and depressed, every striped keelback I've ever had dropped dead, almost positively due to parasites. I would definitely follow James' advice, and get a fecal to the vet for examination, if I ever get more I tell you that's the FIRST thing I'll do!! (im not trying to scare you, just being totally honest and trying to voice what's best for the little fella!)

[SnakeBabe1454]

Hey guys,
I spent the last month is massive research and contact with Petco. My "garter" was for sure a Keelback. The people at Petco were amazing and very kind, they even gave me a Free Gecko and all of its supplies! But anywho, it is official now (after the manager contacted the main upper authority), Keelbacks will no longer be cought and shipped to Petco's ANYWHERE in the US and the vendor got in some major trouble!
Just thought I would share my excitement

[gregmonsta]

Excellent ... looks like the hasslings payed off

[jitami]

Nice Job SnakeBabe! Thanks for following through with Petco!

[Jack Neary]

Courtney, only thing I can really add here is goldfish are not good for him to eat period, stay far, far away, no matter what the people at the pet store tell you!!! the negative effects of them far outweighs the good effect of him having a full belly. Try getting some feeder guppies, or offer some strips of trout, salmon, or tilapia!!! Garter snakes do love worms, but if you actually have a ribbon, he might not be so keen on that!

Welcome to the forum, the picture in your profile is very difficult for me to make out, so I can't help you on an ID just yet!!!

Shannon,
Any suggestions on where I can buy feeder Guppies? I was happily buying feeder guppies from Petland, until I found out that they were really just Rosy Reds!!!
Thanks!
Jack