Is she pregnant?

[snake man]

Hey guys i just caught this snake 2 days ago and i think she is very pregnant please take a look and tell me what you think. thank you.

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z438/redcar122/1340991221662.jpg
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z438/redcar122/1340991242005.jpg
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z438/redcar122/2012-06-29_13-33-40_700.jpg

[Invisible Snake]

Yea she does appear to be gravid.

[Dan72]

My money is on yes, but I'm going by the spread I think I'm seeing. You didn't just feed her a horse right....? Yeah, gravid.

[snake man]

I promise I did not feed her a horse lol. So do you guys have any advise such as how long it might be and what i should do. I have been feeding her worms and am getting mice today, she is very defensive and wil go into the strike postion if i am even near which makes it very hard to change her wanter and all of that. Thank you guys.

[Invisible Snake]

Have you ever kept a garter snake before?

[snake man]

yes, I know the basics but never a gravid snake.

[Invisible Snake]

Cool. I myself don't have much experience with gravid garters, but I've read that they give birth around 70-90 days after coppulation, depending on the species. Usually when she is going to give birth she will go off feed for a couple of days and also have a pre birth shed. I've also read that it is beneficial to have a birthing area with damp moss or damp straw mixed with vermiculate.

[guidofatherof5]

The forum has a very good care sheet as keeping garters can be different from keeping other snakes.

In my opinion the biggest concern with babies is making sure they get that first shed done and keeping them hydrated.
My babies get a couple hours in a warm bath to be sure they have completed their shed. I always make sure there is a large shallow water dish in the enclosure to keep the humidity high.
Hope this helps.
Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet (http://www.thamnophis.com/index.php?page=caresheet)

[snake man]

When I cought her she was half way through shedding and due to the time of year I think I should be expecting soon? I need some advice on how to move her while i change her cage for a couple minutes every time i go near her she tries to bite me.

[guidofatherof5]

Support her weight. If you are concerned about getting bit wear gloves. Of course this doesn't mean she won't bite you on the arm.;):D
She's scared and very worried you are going to kill her.
If you have a smaller container you can get her to crawl into the problem will be much less.
Garter bites are not a big deal. Most of the time they just false strike (closed mouth).
I see you are using outside items for substrate. Probably better not to as a host of bugs can be brought in with it.
Paper towels or newspaper can be used. Commercial products like care fresh is available at Walmart and most pet shops.

[snake man]

Yes that what i was thinking i will change it today and post some pics and see if i can get some approval thank you.

[kueluck]

I gotta ask this. Isn’t it better to let her go back where she came from since she is so stressed? Will this stress cause the babies to be still born?

[EasternGirl]

She does look like she could be gravid...it's hard to tell in those pics. With my female eastern who was gravid twice...as others have said, you will notice her getting very restless before she delivers and may have a shed right before. Mine also started hiding a lot and got quite defensive...she did not want to be bothered and would strike at me often....she was protecting her young. The first time she was gravid, she only delivered stillborns...30 of them. This past time she was gravid...she delivered 40...only three live. Before she was ready to deliver I put a nice big box she could hide in and some moist sphagnum moss in an additional hide for her. The birth process could take several days...to weeks depending. It took Cee Cee three or four days to have her live young and two weeks to pass the stillborns. Be prepared that you could get stillborns or even jellies (unfertilized eggs that come out looking like orange jelly or small orange jelly beans). I noticed when you changed her enclosure that you are using paper towels...she may want some kind of substrate to burrow in...carefresh is a good one. She may also need to be fed more than usual. I fed my gravid female every 4 days...2 to three pinkies or the equivalent in fish or worms. Have a separate container ready for the babies...something very secure...babies are great escape artists. I put a pile of moist moss in a corner for my babies for hydration and a nice big shallow water dish that they can drink from and swim in...but can easily get out of. I also make sure to keep them nice and warm...not too warm. I use a 40 watt household bulb in a dome lamp on one side of the enclosure and a 25 watt night bulb. Babies need to be fed often. I fed my newborns small meals....nightcrawlers or fish or pinky chopped into tiny pieces...everyday at first and then every two days after the first week or so. Supervise babies closely while feeding. Any other questions please feel free to ask!

[snake man]

I gotta ask this. Isn’t it better to let her go back where she came from since she is so stressed? Will this stress cause the babies to be still born?

This is a very valid point and i agree but I think she is really close and and to be honest the newborns will have alot better luck if im taking care of them i am planning on letting them go after i see they are healthy.

[EasternGirl]

I have heard different opinions on this. Some people have suggested that my Cee Cee...who was gravid when I first found her may have had stillborns...which she did retain until they were reabsorbing...because she was protecting them and trying not to have them in her new captive situation. Other members have taken in gravid snakes and had no problems with the babies. I would think carefully about letting the babies go. While babies in the wild are usually left to fend for themselves by the mother right away...you must think about where you are releasing them and if they will be safe there and able to obtain food. I personally couldn't have released my babies into the wild...I would have been too worried for them. But that is just my opinion. Ultimately, it is your decision.

[Greg'sGarters]

I once caught a sickly, undersized, scale-rottted female garter (Who I still have today and is still my favorite garter). She gave birth to 12 babies none stillborn, and she probably went through more stress than any of my other snakes.

[ConcinusMan]

The current health of mother garter snake isn't necessarily reflected in the health of the offspring. She can be in terrible shape but if her eggs inside are healthy, they should be fine. The eggs are formed from converted body mass that the mother had accumulated in the months before. If the eggs are nutritious and fertile, the babies will be fine. Doesn't matter if mom goes downhill after becoming gravid. As long as she is not septic, and can give birth normally, everything will be fine with the babies even if she's terminally ill. I too have seen females in horrible shape, give birth to a healthy litter, then die.