I would welcome input.

[kerensa]

okay, here is the question. of availible varieties of North american garters (eastern, plains and redsided etc) what would you choose to get of available varieties/morphs. why? Limitations are they must be available- nothing so rare that its a bear to get. The total should not exceede $1000. (lets face it if I can't afford it, the inputs useless)

Its become obvious to me that there are more color varieties and species available then I can afford, or really wish to have. The issue is almost all look individually interesting and pleasing.

Thanks.

[guidofatherof5]

Color morph or not I think a female T.radix is a good bet. Docile and very interactive. A very hearty and healthy snake.

I may be a bit bias though.:D

[Steveo]

I think hybinos and leucistics are pretty wild. The neon blue Cali red-sideds. Pugets and melanistic Easterns too. Iowa albino plains. Albino flames.

So many to choose from! I just made a purchase and chose to spread it out amongst 7 garters from 3 different species. Rather than drop my dollars on one or two snakes, I went for quantity :P

[thamneil]

I would go for a blackneck or an infernalis. They are just two very solid looking garters. Never kept either so can't really offer experience though! They are high on my wish list.

[kibakiba]

Northwestern gater snakes, and concinnus are best. I love them so much. Northwesterns are polymorphic... So they're like a box of chocolates when you breed them.

[kerensa]

So many to choose from! I just made a purchase and chose to spread it out amongst 7 garters from 3 different species. Rather than drop my dollars on one or two snakes, I went for quantity :P


Well what did you pick?

I like the hybinos, and the leucistics. Love the blue colors. adore the reds... really think the golden plains looks interesting... lets face it the fact of the matter is picking a favorite color snake for me is sort of like picking a favorite jelly bean- there are so many wonderful choices and each one seems my favorite when I'm looking at it.

[thamneil]

That's why you should just buy one of everything!

[ProXimuS]

Hmm my personal wishlist currrently includes(but is not limited to:p):
California Red Sided (neon blue)
Puget Sound (also blue!)
Cuitzeo(sorry if that doesn't count as North American...I think they're Mexican..which should count..?)
Checkered(albino)
Eastern(leucistic flame!! just saw it and fell in love..)
Gulf Coast Ribbon(a female for my little boy)

So I guess those are just my #1 faves, that I would get if I could...but I'd take any one:D

[kerensa]

Color morph or not I think a female T.radix is a good bet. Docile and very interactive. A very hearty and healthy snake.

I may be a bit bias though.:D

the plains are high on my list. I really want another snake I can hand feed. Also love some of the color choices. If I decide on them (and just them as additional) my list would look something like this:
Iowa albino pair
Iowa snow pair
Hybino pair
blizzard pair
red plains pair (really red)

and that list is likely right in the ball park of acceptable as far as numbers and cost. Then I look at other types and I I have to consider them...

(Oh the plan is to get some normal redsided. and that is almost a done deal at this point-)

[kerensa]

Hmm my personal wishlist currrently includes(but is not limited to:p):
California Red Sided (neon blue)
Puget Sound (also blue!)
Cuitzeo(sorry if that doesn't count as North American...I think they're Mexican..which should count..?)
Checkered(albino)
Eastern(leucistic flame!! just saw it and fell in love..)
Gulf Coast Ribbon(a female for my little boy)

So I guess those are just my #1 faves, that I would get if I could...but I'd take any one:D

so what do you already have? obviously they were higher on your list. ;) I too am tempted by the puget sound. although really I'm tempted by just about every snake...

[kerensa]

That's why you should just buy one of everything!

you are an enabler. I can clearly see that now. lol.

[Invisible Snake]

I've never really cared for plains with the exceptions of the hybinos and christmas albinos. I think you should get 1 of everything and if you plan on breeding them get a pair of everything lol.

[thamneil]

I've never really cared for plains with the exceptions of the hybinos and christmas albinos.

I'm sure Steve's gonna have a talk with you :p

[guidofatherof5]

I've never really cared for plains with the exceptions of the hybinos and christmas albinos. I think you should get 1 of everything and if you plan on breeding them get a pair of everything lol.


5 minutes with my girls and you would change your mind.;)
Just messing with you:D

[ProXimuS]

Kerensa, all I've got is a male Gulf Coast Ribbon. He's my first and only, and I love him! He's what made me catch "garter-fever." Once I get my own place(should be relatively soon!!) I'm definitely...Well lets just say I'm starting with one or two more..We'll just see what happens after that:p Not sure which I would get first....Cost and availability will also have some play in that...

[kerensa]

I've never really cared for plains with the exceptions of the hybinos and christmas albinos. I think you should get 1 of everything and if you plan on breeding them get a pair of everything lol.

I have sort of been thinking in terms of pairs. That way If I decide to I can breed. I also want enough of each sex so that there can be some company for those who prefer to be a tidy little snake clan...

[Steveo]

Well what did you pick?


I ended up with 3 red plains, 2 pugets, 2 ery/flame x melanistic and/or snow easterns (uncertain paternity), and a female scotti was thrown in too. Went a little over budget but I feel like I have a good spread. This way I can work almost any morph into future breedings by purchasing a single animal.

[guidofatherof5]

I have sort of been thinking in terms of pairs. That way If I decide to I can breed. I also want enough of each sex so that there can be some company for those who prefer to be a tidy little snake clan...

Keep in mind that buying a part from a breeder usually means you are buying siblings. This isn't the best breeding situation.
This would be important info. to have before you decide to breed them.

[kerensa]

Keep in mind that buying a part from a breeder usually means you are buying siblings. This isn't the best breeding situation.
This would be important info. to have before you decide to breed them.

already knew and figured I had to get from more than 1 source.

[guidofatherof5]

already knew and figured I had to get from more than 1 source.

Glad you are thinking that way.

[kerensa]

I fail to see the logic in approaching breeding in any other way, and fail to see the benefit to anyone (including themselves) in producing a passel of sickly little inbred scrubs.

I worry that perhaps the garter snake enthusiast community is still small enough that snakes from two separate sources may still be more closely related than I would personally prefer. This may steer me away from morphs as my main focus as far as breeding is concerned. I need to think on that with the snakes in front of me before I decide. That does not stop me from crossing morphs with normal varieties. I may not ever get an albino red side if I cross an albino red side with a normal red side, and do not cross back. I am fine with this if that is my only choice for healthy stock. I still get to enjoy raising the young, and still get to enjoy the parents. There may not be a cherry on that banana split, but its still pretty damned tasty. ;)


Glad you are thinking that way.