Sam's Garter Blog

[Eight]

I decided to start writing a thread for my first experience with garters, so I can watch my first garter, and my experience with the species, grow.

I got my first Garter snake on the 11th of April 2012. I took the advice from the members of this forum, and took a drive to get him, instead of ordering from the internet. I'm very happy I did and chose a Checkered Garter from the two I had to choose from.

I fed him for the first time on the 16th of April, and he ate very well. I'm still unsure of the sex but will take some photo's after he's digested for 48 or so hours. My OH decided to give it a name anyhow, so the poor little guy will be forever known as Domino. Domino has really grown on me, and calms down to handling really well. Give him some time and he will be the most calm and tamest garter in the south of England lol.

[Eight]

I made a video to celebrate his first feed with me :)

My first Garter Snake Feeding - YouTube (http://youtu.be/5v_x8nfnASQ)

[indigoman]

Excellent video, nice looking and healthy T.marcianus. Can't be sure on the sex, but guessing female.

[mikem]

Thanks for sharing the video of Domino! He or she looks like a happy little snake enjoying that salmon :cool:

[Natrix]

Thanks for sharing. Nicely patterned little snake. Should look very nice when adult. ;)

[Thamnophis]

Nice movie. Pretty snake and good Muse music...

[EasternGirl]

Awesome video...great looking T.marcianus...looks like a very happy little snake. I love the name Domino! Thanks for sharing, Sam.

[Eight]

Thanks guys. I had to switch the music at the end, it only seemed right to play 'so long and thanks for all the fish' while he buggered off after he'd finished lol.


Had a little photo shoot while he was out today. Its probably been done to death but I liked the idea of a Garter on a garter :)

Let me know what you think

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss11/SamHack/Forum%20Photos/_MG_3893-2.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss11/SamHack/Forum%20Photos/_MG_3890-2.jpg

I did enter the first one in this months photo comp. Its nice to feel involved in something.

[guidofatherof5]

Nice.

[EasternGirl]

That's one sexy garter...the snake I mean, of course. :D I've never actually seen a pic of a garter on a garter. I really like the second pic too...with Domino looking at the camera...cute face.

[Eight]

that was my favourite one but you can see more of his patterning in the photo taken from above.

[Natrix]

I've never actually seen a pic of a garter on a garter
Marnie that's how you get baby Garters ;):D

[EasternGirl]

Hey Rod...if you click on "reply with quote" under someone's post...it will copy the post that you want to quote into the reply box for you.

[mikem]

lol, good one Rod :D

[Natrix]

Hey Rod...if you click on "reply with quote" under someone's post...it will copy the post that you want to quote into the reply box for you.
You mean like this. ;) I only wanted that section of your reply.... :D

[mikem]

I only wanted that section of your reply...

You can delete the parts you don't want quoted :)

[EasternGirl]

Well, now I know how to do that...I couldn't figure out how to quote specific parts of what someone wrote.

[guidofatherof5]

You can delete the parts you don't want quoted :)



Delete what you want just don't mess with the brackets;)

[chris-uk]

Delete what you want just don't mess with the
......

brackets;)


Can I quote you on that?

[ConcinusMan]

Great video. I think Domino is a girl.

[Didymus20X6]

4797

[EasternGirl]

Uh oh...Richard said the magic words...we are now going to have to see some vent pics so that we can decide if Domino is male or female. ;)

[EasternGirl]

And oh wow...I love that comic...where did you get that???

[guidofatherof5]

We have a thread devoted to snake cartoons.
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/garter-snake-lounge/7215-snake-cartoons.html

[EasternGirl]

Cool... a lot of them have disappeared though. I still think the garter one is the coolest. ;)

[guidofatherof5]

Cool... a lot of them have disappeared though. I still think the garter one is the coolest. ;)

I only saw one missing. Not sure what you're talking about Marnie.

[ConcinusMan]

When I posted that one sometime a while back, found it on the official B.C. website and hotlinked it. That link is probably broken by now as are many others. That's why they "disappear". If they are hotlinked instead of attached to the post, they will "disappear" if the link path (URL) becomes invalid or is changed.

"magic words" marnie? Were they "I think..." ?? LoL

[Eight]

I'll get some vent pics up tonight if I can :)

[Eight]

Right guys, it took a little longer than expected but I have the vent/tail pics. I know they aren't perfect but can anyone have a go at sexing?

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss11/SamHack/Forum%20Photos/_MG_3911.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss11/SamHack/Forum%20Photos/_MG_3918.jpg

So, sex my snake :)

[chris-uk]

Tempted to say female. First photo looks female to me, second one seems to show the taper starting slower, but I still think at that angle you're seeing a taper starting at the vent, so female.

[kibakiba]

I'm thinking male. There is a taper to the tail, but it's a lot slower than any female I've seen... I'm probably wrong though ;)

[Eight]

either way time will tell. I'm sure i'll be able to get a better picture as Domino gets a little larger. Got a fantastic face photo that I'll put up tomorrow morning.

[EasternGirl]

I'm thinking female...I see what Chris and Chantel are saying about that second pic...and it has me wondering too...but the tail does seem to taper quite a bit after the taper begins...the first pic looks female, the second one is a little more iffy. Let's see what other members say.

[guidofatherof5]

I'm going with female. Nice smooth taper.
If I look at it too long I'll second guess myself.
First impression. FEMALE.

[kibakiba]

When I saw the first picture I was thinking "female" then the second pic plus 5+ minutes of staring at them made me think maybe not female.. Haha.

[Eight]

Thanks for all your input guys. I'm Happy with Domino no matter what sex he/she is.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss11/SamHack/Forum%20Photos/_MG_3913-1.jpg

Thanks from Domino :)

[guidofatherof5]

That's the right attitude;)
Good looking snake.

[chris-uk]

Domino brings a whole new meaning to "flicking the V's". Nice shot. :)

[Eight]

cheers, but what can I say......the little guy just loves the camera

[Didymus20X6]

You better keep an eye out for this guy:

http://myrottingbrain.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/noid.gif

[Eight]

You better keep an eye out for this guy:

http://myrottingbrain.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/noid.gif

lol.....ummm......what on earth is that!?

Whatever it is it looks crazy......

[EasternGirl]

Great pic! Domino is a great looking snake!

[mikem]

Love the tongue in that photo :D

[Didymus20X6]

Look up "Noid" on Youtube.

[Eight]

ah I see now. I'm not sure if that ad ever aired over here. Or maybe I was just too young to remember. I was always an outdoors kid and never really watched much tv as a child.

[Eight]

So guys, after having Domino for only a short time I've come to the conclusion that Thamnophis really are for me :)

So much so that I'm already thinking about getting Domino a cage mate. I'm thinking about getting a cb12 baby checkerd, and was wondering about putting in a garter of a different size in with Domino. Would it be wise to house a smaller one separately until it starts to catch up in size?

[kibakiba]

Most people only put similar sizes in with each other.

[Eight]

thats good to know then. I'll judge when they can go in together then. Although this is still well forward planning lol

[Eight]

Domino had her first shed with me. Was expecting it but not quite so soon.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss11/SamHack/Forum%20Photos/_MG_3927.jpg

I had to help the tail piece off but other than that it was all good. And best of all.......

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss11/SamHack/Forum%20Photos/_MG_3928-1.jpg

Both eye caps :)

[Eight]

So I got the new little garter with the bad eye today. It may have a bad eye, but it is still the most inquisitive little thing I've seen. Its far braver than Domino, although Domino is getting more courageous every day. 'Bad eye' hasn't hidden away from me once today, and is currently on top of its half coconut hide.

Times are good :)

[Eight]

So the new little garter I got a couple of days ago (bad eye) is getting ready to shed by the looks of it. With any luck it will shed fine and I'll know the condition of his eye after. Fingers crossed.

[Eight]

'Bad eye' finally shed and now has two good eyes :)

Before

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss11/SamHack/Forum%20Photos/_MG_3930.jpg

And after

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss11/SamHack/Forum%20Photos/_MG_3932.jpg

I'm very happy that all is healthy, but will have to find a new name as all the cool ones were based on the whole 'one eye' thing.

And here is a picture to sex if anyone feels up to it. I'm going with female.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss11/SamHack/Forum%20Photos/_MG_3938.jpg

[Invisible Snake]

That's great to hear that she has 2 good eyes, and I agree with you, it looks like a female.

[guidofatherof5]

The eyes have it. Sweet little female.
Good looking snake.

[EasternGirl]

Okay...I have no idea how I missed this...she is the most adorable little snake! Congrats on the new addition! I'm glad the eye is looking better.

[katach]

Aww, what a cute little girl!! I'm glad the eye issue cleared up!

[Eight]

Thanks guys, I'm glad its cleared up too. I still need to name her though

[Eight]

I've finally finalised the transaction of my new additions. With some luck, this time in two weeks I'll have 3 young Florida blue (T. sirtalis sirtalis) garters.

I'm very excited and can't wait to receive them (but I'll have to :( ).

It should be 2 males and 1 female, and all are 66% het albino.

Many many photos to follow their arrival :D

[mikem]

Can't wait to see them!

[EasternGirl]

Yep yep! Pics are required! :) Congrats!

[Eight]

So all the new arrivals have been settled and I've now introduced them to each other. I have the females in one enclosure and the males in another, although I will want to double check the sex of my two female marcianus. I've decided to use cage carpet for a substrate. It seems ok so far but only time will tell.

[guidofatherof5]

Has your book arrived yet?

[Eight]

Not yet Steve. It's strange that a cent from America could arrive first lol.

[snake man]

Happy looking crew.

[Eight]

One of the males wasn't eating well. He had only had the one worm piece. I came home from work today to find him on his back.

Rip little eastern guy. I'm sure you would of been great to have around.

[guidofatherof5]

Sorry to hear about your loss.

[Invisible Snake]

:(

[snake man]

Do you know the cause?

[ConcinusMan]

I do. He was found on his back because he's no longer alive.

[Eight]

I do. He was found on his back because he's no longer alive.

?

[ConcinusMan]

To answer your question mark...


One of the males wasn't eating well. He had only had the one worm piece. I came home from work today to find him on his back.


Do you know the cause?


I do. He was found on his back because he's no longer alive.

[ProXimuS]

Finding him dead on his back wouldn't be a cause of death....


Sam, sorry to hear of your loss:(