Garter Snake

I'd re-bathe him DAILY to remove mites (1st keep him hydrated, but then bathe him with a drop of dish-soap so as many mites drown as possible).

Done gently, bathing won't over-stress him, & should help. Otherwise dehydration (from mites or whatever) can kill him from shock, heart & other organ failure.

Keep him on white paper towels for now too, so the nasty little mites can't hide, & change the towels fairly often to remove mite eggs that keep hatching.

Good luck, sure hope he makes it. Garter snakes eat a variety of things, btw: small mammals, insects, fish, earthworms, leeches, eggs, amphibians, reptiles.

He's doing much better, still wrinkly. I am going to bathe him twice; once for hydration and once for mites. He doesn't move much, I think that's due to stress/being malnourished. I'm calling him Dennis for now. I don't wanna mess with him too much tho. I'm gonna try and feed him some fish (without thiaminase, I have salmon). Should I feed him something different? How much fish? (I'm feeding later this week)

ALSO he makes a clicking noise occasionally when he breathes, and I don't think he's in shed.

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Originally Posted by tickyyy

ALSO he makes a clicking noise occasionally when he breathes, and I don't think he's in shed.

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I hope he'll eat a little fish for you. You probably know that the "clicking" sound is a likely RI.

I took some pictures (sorry for gross nails I'm painting them later). You can see the folded skin.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../3/5/save1.jpg


https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../3/5/save3.jpg


https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../3/5/save6.jpg



Here is a cool shot IMO

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../3/5/save5.jpg



That cute lil tongue :P

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../3/5/save2.jpg


I legit have baby hands ugh

He's cute, I sure hope he eats & that you get rid of his mites & other issues ok.

Pretty snake! Unfortunately I see hunger folds on his hind body. (See picture 1, the lengthwise folds on his sides where his body is in between the ring and little fingers.) Hunger folds are a sign of prolonged starvation. He can pull through, but it is more difficult than if hunger folds have not developed. Personally, I'd start him on smallish earthworms, if you can collect them where pesticides/herbicides have not been applied. Earthworms (NOT compost worms/red wigglers) contain a lot of moisture and are easy to digest.

If you haven't seen it, here is a link to a good garter care sheet: http://www.thamnophis.com/index.php?page=caresheet

Good luck.

Unfortunately Dennis has died. I came home from school to find him lifeless. Ig the mites, dehydration/starvation and RI got to him. I was too late. RIP 😢

Sorry to hear the garter pasted. Props to you for trying to save him!!!!

Sorry to hear...too little, too late...Rest in Peace, Dennis.