Garter feeding question?

[Sharlynn93]

my AC garter went on a mouse strike for a while, but last week I got her to take a fuzzy (just barely peach fuzz)...tonight she attacked and "killed" one with hair, but refused to eat it...twice...but when I thawed and offered another peachy one, she downed it in no time...is it common for them to not eat mice with hair? she weighed in at 76g and is 2 ft long...

[infernalis]

I have worked with hundreds of garter snakes, and only about 4 of them ever ate full grown mice without hesitation or scenting.

Sometimes if they are stubborn about it, a little fish scent will do the trick.

If you don't have any fish, or know someone who goes fishing, buy a small fillet of salmon at the grocery store.

Just a little rub on the side of the mouse to make it smell like the salmon, and I can all but guarantee the snake will eat the mouse with gusto.

[Sharlynn93]

thanks!