My kids caught a 6 inch Garter. Is it too small to keep? If not what can we feed it. Bob mdsandbox @yahoo.com?

Question

My kids caught a 6 inch Garter. Is it too small to keep? If not what can we feed it. Bob mdsandbox @yahoo.com?

Answer 1

keeping wild caught toads in captivity (as pets) is cruel immoral and environmentally reprehensible and as an adult u should know better. when a wild animal i removed from its natural environment and put in a confined space it causes massive amounts of stress. this affects herps (reptiles and amphibians) very badly worse than most other orders many die simply from the stress of being in captivity it also weakens there immune system meaning more die from disease. those that survive suffer from stress related behavior disorders, stress related illness and have a shortened life span. there quality of life is pretty bad too

u also clearly dont know how to care for it. if you kids want a snake get them to do the correct research about care and keeping of snakes and the species they want. then buy all the equipment and the buy the snake.

Answer 2

Yea, let it go.  It will only die in captivity.  You should be teaching your kids its not responsible to catch wild animals and try to keep them, not encouraging it.

Answer 3

Please, put it back where you found it!! Wild animals belong in the wild!

Answer 4

No reason not to keep this hearty little snake as long as you have a proper, secure cage with the necessary water bowl, temp. controls, hiding spots, a secure lid and access to their food items. A newborn garter will happily eat all the earthworms you can give it along with small fish/minnows, salamanders, tadpoles and the like. DO NOT offer crickets or the like as garters are NOT insect eaters, no matter what you may be told. I don't have any idea what type of worms the above poster had in mind if not earthworms (one of garter snake's fav. food items) unless he meant nightcrawlers, which some garters will not eat due to the bristles they have on parts of their bodies. Also, do not feed an all fish diet as they lack certain nutrients your snake requires. This all fish diet will cause a severe vitamin deficiency that will harm & could eventually kill your snake. All the snakes I have are wild captures or their off spring & I've never had any problems with them contrary to what other posters may tell you concerning wild caught snakes.

Answer 5

I say you should keep it. But, only if your kids are knowledgable enough to take care of it without squeezing or hurting it.

Nothing I hate more than little kids who squeeze snakes :<

Anyways, you can feed it small worms for the time being. At it's size, you should cut the worm in half and feed it to it. And make sure it's not earthworms. Earthworms will kill it at its size.

I caught mine when she was almost newborn. She is roughly 2 years old now and one of the most lovable snakes I've seen.

Answer 6

It is definitely too small to keep. Snakes are more intricate than meets the eye. Most of the time, captured snakes won't eat and unless you do a lot of research, will probably end up dieing. Do yourself, your kids, and nature a favor and let it go.

Answer 7

put it back near where it was found.  if they want a snake go to the pet store and buy one.  they only cost about $10.00 (garter snakes).  the set up for a snake however costs around $70.00 which you would have to buy either way.