Garter snake only eating worms

[Chris Hawes]

Could anyone can advise me on a slight problem:

Over the last few weeks, my garter snake has refused to eat anything
except earthworms. I have previously fed him on pieces of trout and
lance fish successfully, but now he just turns his nose up at them, even
if I make them 'run' around the dish to entice him.

The trout and lance fish are both frozen, could it be he has acquired a
taste for fresh food?? In books it says that snakes will eat what is
right for them or not at all so I am, of course, feeding him on worms as
normal, but they also say they should have a varied diet. Any ideas??

Thanks.

p.s.
I have also presented him with live grass-hoppers, but he wasn't
interested...
__________________________
Chris Hawes haw...@btlip27.bt.co.uk /
________________________________________/ My personal opinions only

[jorgensen jasmine ( ba engl)]

You might try live goldfish or guppies. Sometimes snakes develop a
"taste" for live food. They are usually sold by the dozen at pet stores.
That's what I feed mine during the winter monthes when worms are less
available. Just put some of the fish in your garter's water bowl. The
movement and smell of the fish should attract him/her. Also make sure that
you have a bucket to keep any live fish that your snake doesn't eat. Live
food is supposed to be better than frozen in providing vitamins, unless you
are providing vitamin supplements with the frozen food.

Another idea might be for you to rub a piece of worm unto a piece of the
frozen fish. The smell may trick him/her into eating the fish. Make
sure the fish is fresh, though, because frozen foods sometimes go bad and
make the animals that eat them sick. This might explain why your garter
has had a sudden change in taste.

-Jazz Jorgensen

[Charles Lemieux]

jorgensen jasmine ( ba engl) (jjo...@gl.umbc.edu) wrote:
> On 11 Sep 1995, Chris Hawes wrote:

> > Could anyone can advise me on a slight problem:
> >
> > Over the last few weeks, my garter snake has refused to eat anything
> > except earthworms. I have previously fed him on pieces of trout and
> > lance fish successfully, but now he just turns his nose up at them, even
> > if I make them 'run' around the dish to entice him.
> >

I've always had success with bullfrog tadpoles. Put the large tadpole
in a small container with water and wait. They love them as much as
they love frogs.

Good luck.

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C. Ed Lemieux
Carleton University - Sociology/Anthropology
"Krusty wants out!"
Email address: clem...@chat.carleton.ca
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