my garder snake just had a baby - what do i do?

Question

its just a regular garder snake and i was woundering if i had to feed the baby - if so what - or if the mom would take care of it till it grows a little and can eat worms and other insects?

Answer 1

Follow this care sheet:

Garter Snake Care Sheet

Please use this sheet as a guide to proper Garter Care. I've found after years of keeping Garters this way works best for me.

Caging-Keep babies in a small container initially, large containers tend to be over-whelming for neonates. As they grow, graduate them to a 29 or 50-gallon WebAneryredsidefemale122203-1.JPG (114866 bytes)aquarium or similar sized container. Make sure the lid is tight fit-garter snakes are escape artists!

Substrate-Newspaper works great, as they defecate, replace as needed. Other good substrates are Tekfresh or carefresh. These products are comprised of wood byproducts and are very pliable, allowing them to pass safely if ingested (in small quantities per the product’s labeling).

Heat source-Although not mandatory, a heat source will benefit your snake. Use either an under the tank heater or flexwatt heat tape. If using flexwatt, make sure you use a dimmer switch. Without a dimmer switch, flexwatt heat tape gets VERY hot and can potentially harm the snakes. Place the heat source at one end of the cage. This way the snake will have the option of going to either the warm, heated end or to the cool, room temperature end. Optimum daytime temp is 85 degrees Fahrenheit; nighttime temps should drop to the mid 70’s. A timer works great to automatically turn the tape on and off at desired times.

Water bowl-I prefer small, heavy water bowls. These tend to be stable and difficult to tip over. Garters do tend to defecate in their water bowls occasionally so check their water frequently. Place the water bowl at the opposite end of where the heat source lies.

Hide box-To finalize your snake’s setup, place a hide box in their cage, 2 if using a heat source. Place one at the cool end of the cage and the other over the heat source.

Miscellaneous-Another good item to keep on hand are small, jagged rocks. These help to facilitate the shedding of their skin.

Diet-Baby garter snakes feed upon Rosy feeder fish, guppies, goldfish and earthworms.If you use this dietary plan on a long term basis, make sure and supplementWebEasternKentuckyalbinomaleWC-1.JPG (45615 bytes) their diet with a vitamin supplement, Reptomin works great. As your snake matures, rodents make a healthy, vitamin-enriched diet. Vitamin supplements are NOT necessary if feeding snakes rodents. ** If you are feeding in a group setting, make sure and feed separate and/or watch them closely. After feeding, wash them off thoroughly in water.

Hibernation-Brumating is not mandatory for babies in their first year of life and would recommend not doing so unless they go off feed in the fall or winter (3 successive meals without eating and they are NOT in shed). If they do go off feed then it is best to put them down into hibernation. 55 degrees is the optimum temperature for hibernating. Fluctuations of plus or minus 5 degrees are acceptable as this emulates natural fluctuations in the wild. When hibernating, place them in complete darkness, provide them with fresh water and check on them periodically. Adults are prepped for hibernation by feeding the collection heavily for the month before they are to be put down. This helps to fatten them up for their long winter sleep. From the last meal that they are fed, wait three to four weeks (two and a half to three weeks for babies) so to allow them time to clean out their systems of all fecal and urine matter.

Answer 2

Gardersnake

Answer 3

The mother should be able to take care of it at the moment. Snakes look after their young. Don't worry too much and congratulation, you have a baby snake!

Answer 4

Awww, congrats! You might wanna feed the baby a pinkie mouse when it's about one week old. Then get a seperate tank for it, cuz I heard that some snakes are cannibals.

Answer 5

Cool. Garter snakes are live bearers, by the way. I would try offering it an earthworm for starters, then go online to some web sites where everyone won't give you dumb answers.

Answer 6

Yes, you have to feed it. Snakes are born with the instinct to survive...they receive no maternal care. In fact it may be a good idea to separate the little one from its mother. Some species are opportunistic feeders, and she might eat it if she's hungry.
Feed the little one small insects - crickets are good, or pill-bugs. Also try small fish (guppies) in its water dish. A good rule is that the food should be no bigger than the thickest part of the snake's body.

Answer 7

Nothing nothing ok just let the snake take care of the babys nature does not want you to do any thing

Answer 8

If you're going to keep it, you will have to feed it, The mother will not feed the baby because she can't. Snakes are carnivores. You will have to wait for the baby to have it's first skin shed,about 2-3 days after birth,then start it off with earthworms or minnows. Garter snakes aren't big insect eaters & I can't figure out why everyone always says to feed them crickets. If you're not going to keep it, let it go & it will feed itself.

Answer 9

Run to Target for some tiny, slender milk bottles.

Answer 10

CONGRATULATE IT.

Answer 11

I don't give a **** about snakes. Get rid of it