Garters in Oregon?

[Starling96]

Hey guys, I used to post here a lot but I slowed down and i guess im back!
I was wondering what kind of garters live up in Oregon and herping locations. I'd like to maybe bring back a few(1 or 2).
Thanks! :)

[guidofatherof5]

Amphibians and Reptiles of Oregon (http://pages.uoregon.edu/titus/herp/checklist.html)

[katach]

That site has great distribution maps as well.

[Starling96]

Thanks guys! Does anyone know of any herping spots near Bend, Oregon?

[guidofatherof5]

Sorry to change the subject but how are your T.proximus doing?
What subspecies do you have?

[RedSidedSPR]

Look who's back.

[ConcinusMan]

Unfortunately, most field guides, range maps, and websites do not specify subspecies when referring to T. sirtalis. If you're going to be in Northwest Oregon, you'll find T. sirtalis concinnus in wetland habitats and T. ordinoides basically everywhere.

If you're going to be east of the Cascade mountains (dry or desert climate) you'll find T. sirtalis fitchi in wet habitats.

If you're going to be in western Oregon I can specify exact locations where you'll find more garters than you know what to do with.

EDIT: I see you're going to Bend. That's in the Cascade Mts rain shadow. Should be plenty of T. sirtalis fitchi there. Just look around creeks and waterways with plenty of vegetation and open sunny areas. If you can make it to the west side of the mountains around Eugene you'll find some of the most colorful and vivid T. s. concinnus in existence as well as many different colors and patterns of T. ordinoides. Again, near water where there are plenty of frogs is the best place to look. Sunny days around 65-70 degrees are best. They are most active around mid morning.

I hope the weather cooperates for you. This is a wet and cold time of year. You wont find any if its raining or cloudy and below 60 degrees. Bend is rather high in elevation. They might not even come out of brumation until April.:cool:

Valley Garter (T. s. fitchi) near Bend: Common Garter Snake | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alumroot/53278830/)

It's quite likely this will be the only garter you find in the immediate area of Bend. They are almost always found in or near the water. Look for them around lakes, ponds, and slow moving streams. Use extreme caution. There are a lot rattlesnakes around too.

[ConcinusMan]

(Oregon) Valley garter:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-78BoY6PKU6A/Tbql0p1dgMI/AAAAAAAAQTU/qxdzCGiHHwk/s1600/Valley+Garter+Snake+%28Thamnophis+sirtalis+fitchi% 29.jpg

If you can go to the west around Eugene you'll find some of the best looking T. s. concinnus' in Oregon:

Found near Eugene:
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/community/gallery/data/500/concinnus_A.JPG

[Mommy2many]

Welcome back!

[Starling96]

Thanks guys!
My Proximus were released towards the end of the summer, now i have a Honduran Milksnake.
He's a few months old, and a heavy eater lol.
And hi Jesse!!!

[Starling96]

Forgot to add i'd be around Bend, Oregon.
It's close to the center of the state, so whats in that range?

[Starling96]

Forgot to add again, i'd be going early this summer! lol

[Starling96]

Found this: Hiking Trails in Bend Oregon and Central Oregon (http://www.visitbend.com/Bend_Oregon_Activities_Recreation/Outdoor-Recreation/Summer-Fun/Hiking/)
Any of those places sound garter worthy?

[RedSidedSPR]

Triple post FTW!

[Starling96]

Triple past FTW!
Past or post?

[RedSidedSPR]

Damn it.

Post. I said post. -_-

[ConcinusMan]

http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/955/sirtalis1.jpg
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/3272/sirtalis2.jpg

The only other garter not shown here is T. ordinoides but those are restricted to west of the cascades. You won't find those in Bend. If you're only going to be herping around Bend, then T. s. fitchi is all you can hope to find besides rattlers and you'll only find the garters in wetland habitat so go find a body of water and take a look around. They prefer slow moving water like ponds and sloughs rich with amphibians.

[Starling96]

Alright,and for the most part i think so. Do fitchii do well in captivity?