Needing some info

[Lilonee]

Hi, Im new member (1 day old) from Croatia. There is no any species of genus Thamnophis here in Europe, but Im coming this summer in Seattle to do research project on 3 species of garter snake that live in that area
So would be very grateful if you could recommend me some useful web sites with general information about Thamnophis and/or those 3 species (T. sirtalis, T. elegans, T. ordinoides).
And for my satisfaction, please recommend me some good keys for snakes and herpetology in general...
thank you...
biology student from Croatia... :)

[adamanteus]

Hi Petra, and welcome to the forum. I think you've found pretty much the best place on the net for information on Garter Snakes! Ask your questions, they're sure to be answered here.

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard, Petra.

If Rick (Cazador) was around right now, he might be the best qualified member to answer questions about garters in the wild, but unfortunately he's unavailable at the moment. But if you ask us, we'd be more than willing to help.

[Lilonee]

Thank you for your welcome, probably will spending a lot of time on this forum in next few months! :D
For now, all I need is some web sites about Thamnophis in general that I can print out. Already heard about the book - Ecology of Garter snake (40$) and I am planing 2 buy it when arrive in States.
Have 6 more days in Croatia so wanna be prepared (with at least general informations about that genus) and ready 2 start the project as soon as can.
I'll be working under Dr Marc Hayes supervision at Burke Museum in Seattle.

[adamanteus]

For a general field guide with keys, I would recommend The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. There are other works more specific to the American North West, I'll look up some titles and post them for you.

There is one piece of work that might interest you...The Garter Snakes of Western North America, by VanDenburgh and Slevin. The only problem is...it was published in 1918!!

[Lilonee]

Thank you for your time James, really appreciate that.
Im most interested in methodology and ecology of garter snake...

;)

[Lilonee]

ohh, Ive almost forgot 2 ask! :P
Do anybody know whats the easiest way transfer snake to USA?
Milk snake, Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloe (2 years old)

[adamanteus]

Petra, This might be useful for you.
snakefinder (http://www.gartersnake.de/snakefinder/snakefinder.html)

[drache]

Petra, hi
and welcome here
I don't think bringing a snake will be easy
I believe it involves heaps of paperwork and very high fees
it may easier to find someone to care for the snake - unless you'll be in the US for a long time

[Lilonee]

know it wont be easy, not just paperwork n fees but and quarantine... it will take a while... just wandering..

[Snaky]

Welcome to the forum :). For the bringing over, maybe Daniel can help you about it. He brought over quite some garters by postorder from the US.

You probably can't read the site, but http://www.kousebandslangen.nl has a lot of picture's, also about habitat.

[Sid]

Welcome to the forum from South Carolina. If you don't find the info you are looking for on this forum ( under care sheets). Try californiaherps.com.
They have info on several species of Thamnophis.

Sid

[adamanteus]

Here is a link to Californiaherps.com, as recommended by Sid. it's a pretty good site.
Key to California Gartersnakes (http://www.californiaherps.com/identification/snakesid/gartersnakeskey.html)

[Ameivaboy]

this is an awesome field Guide, frankly it doesnt leave my side when out in the feild


Amazon.com: Reptiles of the Northwest: Books: Alan st John (http://www.amazon.com/Reptiles-Northwest-Alan-st-John/dp/1551053438)

[Lilonee]

tnk u all 4 ur help! :D
as soon as I can, will search for those books...

[adamanteus]

This weekend I will post a list of books/papers that might help you in your studies.

[Lilonee]

Thank you!!! :D
Must admit that I'm very excited about my project, ecology and methodology of garter snake. Picked them out only cuz I've been told that on the museum they have very large collection of that genus.
Before that all I knew is that wanna work with snakes... :$

[adamanteus]

I am quite envious Petra. I'm sure you will learn a lot and have a great time. I hope you will keep in contact with the forum during your adventure. I wish you lots of luck! PS.... photos, photos, photos!!:D

[Thamnophis]

Hi Petra, welcome here.
For pictures of these species you can take a look at my website www.kousebandslangen.nl (http://www.kousebandslangen.nl) of Thamnophis.eu -kousebandslangen.nl (http://www.thamnophis.eu)

Why do you want to bring a snake to America?