What Do Baby Garter Snakes Eat?

December 26, 2023 by Marjorie R. Rogers, MA (English), Certified Consultant

As baby garter snakes are born, they are immediately independent and must fend for themselves. Their diet starts with small insects and progresses to larger prey items as they grow. What do baby garter snakes eat?

Most species of garter snakes will eat a variety of small amphibians, reptiles, rodents, and fish. The common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), for instance, is known to eat earthworms, leeches, lizards, frogs, mice, and even other smaller snakes. Some individual common garters have even been observed eating birds!

If you’re lucky enough to have a baby garter snake in your home, congratulations! These beautiful creatures make great pets. But what do they eat?

Baby garter snakes are carnivores, so their diet consists mainly of small insects and other invertebrates. Mealworms, crickets, and earthworms are all good choices. You can find these live foods at pet stores or online.

To ensure your baby snake is getting the nutrients it needs, dust the live food with a calcium supplement before feeding. This is especially important for young snakes who are still growing. Offer food to your snake 2-3 times per week.

If you notice that your snake is losing weight, increase the frequency of feedings. On the other hand, if your snake starts to look overweight, cut back on the amount of food you’re giving it. As always, consult with a reptile veterinarian if you have any concerns about your pet’s health or diet.

Feeding Baby Garter Snakes In A Group

Do Baby Garter Snakes Eat Crickets

If you’re thinking about getting a baby garter snake as a pet, you might be wondering what kind of food they eat. Crickets are actually a good option for baby garter snakes! Here’s everything you need to know about feeding your new pet snake crickets.

Crickets are a good source of protein for baby snakes, and they’re easy to find and purchase from pet stores. You’ll want to get live crickets that are small enough for your snake to eat easily. Avoid giving your snake large crickets, as these can injure them.

To feed your baby garter snake crickets, simply place the cricket in their enclosure and watch as they strike at it and consume it whole. It’s important to offer them one or two crickets at a time so that they don’t overfeed and become sick. Snakes will typically eat 1-2 times per week when they’re young, so offer them food accordingly.

If you’re looking for an easy way to feed your baby garter snake, crickets are definitely the way to go!

Credit: www.snakesforpets.com

Can You Keep a Baby Garter Snake As a Pet?

Yes, you can keep a baby garter snake as a pet. They make great pets because they are small, easy to care for, and docile. Baby garter snakes will eat small insects and worms.

You will need to provide them with a water bowl for drinking and soaking. A 10-gallon aquarium is big enough for one or two baby garter snakes. Be sure to put a lid on the tank as these snakes are good climbers.

What Do You Feed a Tiny Garden Snake?

Assuming you have a baby garden snake, the first thing you need to do is find out what kind it is. Some common species include garter snakes, corn snakes, and rat snakes. Once you know what kind of snake it is, research what they eat in the wild.

In general, most young snakes will eat small insects or invertebrates. You can buy live prey from a pet store, or collect them from your yard. If you’re feeding your snake live prey, make sure the insect is no bigger than the widest part of the snake’s body.

If it’s too big, your snake could choke on it or get injured trying to swallow it whole. You should also offer food items that are easy for the snake to digest and not overly active so they don’t injure themselves while catching their meal. Once your baby garden snake gets a little older, you can start offering them larger insects and even pinky mice.

Just be sure to continue monitoring the size of their meals and always err on the side of caution when choosing what to feed them.

How Often Should a Baby Garter Snake Eat?

Assuming you are referring to a common garter snake, they should be eating every 5 to 7 days. This is because they have a very slow metabolism and digest their food slowly. If the food is not properly digested, it can cause problems for the snake such as impaction.

How Long Can Baby Garter Snakes Go Without Food?

Assuming you are referring to common garter snakes, they can go for a few months without food. If the temperature is warm enough, they will be able to digest their last meal better and survive longer. Under ideal conditions, a garter snake can live for up to two years without eating.

Conclusion

Garter snakes are one of the most common snakes in North America. They can be found in a variety of habitats, from forests to fields. Baby garter snakes eat small insects and invertebrates.

This includes ants, beetles, crickets, and earthworms. As they grow older, they will begin to eat small mammals and amphibians. If you have a garter snake as a pet, you should feed it live prey items that are no bigger than the snake itself.