Got a new friend today.

[Yoshi]

I found a baby garter snake in my yard late this afternoon and decided to keep it. Just a heads up, I know I'm probably doing some things wrong already. I put "her" (I think it's female from the look of the tail) in an old 20 gallon tank we had in the shed and put garden soil in it because a couple sites told me so, I know that's wrong and I will replace it with paper towels, there is also something that looks like quackgrass and a fake little rock to hide. Now I think it is just a regular Eastern Garter, but I could be wrong. It is approx. 5-6 inches. Will it be okay by itself? Approx. how long will it take for it to get used to me, the tank, and start eating? Other than that I was just wondering if anyone had any tips for me. Yes, I already went over the Care Sheet and have it saved to my computer just in case.

It looks basically like this
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[Stefan-A]

It will be okay by itself.

How long it will take for it to get used to you, the tank and start eating, is impossible to say. Could be immediately, could be never. Not very useful, I know. The best you can do is to keep things calm around the enclosure and handle as little as possible until it starts eating regularly.

As for the picture, it's impossible to know for sure. There are a lot of species that look "basically" like that. A picture of the actual snake would be better, accompanied by the location where it was found.

[infernalis]

There is nothing wrong with using soil as your tank substrate..., you can plant real grass, and it's natural.

[snake man]

Good luck hopefully everything goes well.

[Yoshi]

I found her in Lascassas, Tennessee. Sorry for the bad quality, can't find my camera.
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[guidofatherof5]

Looks like you've got 3 garters in your State.

Thamnophis proximus proximus –(Western Ribbonsnake)
Thamnophis sauritus sauritus -(Eastern Ribbonsnake)
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis -(Common Gartersnake)

[kueluck]

Here is no such thing as "JUST" a regular eastern garter. They are wonderful friends to have around, so I hope it turns out to be Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis -(Common Gartersnake).

[EasternGirl]

It looks like it is probably an eastern garter...Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis, from what I can tell from the pic. They are wonderful garters...my favorite. If it is only 5-6 inches long, then it is very young. It will be fine by itself. I like to use aspen or carefresh for substrate. A nice shallow water dish on one side of the tank...that he or she can get in and out of easily, but that is big enough to drink from and soak in, is essential. Make sure it is not something heavy that the snake can get pinned under. A couple of hides...you can just use some small cardboard boxes...are good to have. A fake plant or two is always nice too. Some garters enjoy basking under the heat and light of a lamp, although it is not necessary this time of year. Something to think about for the fall though. Also, make sure the lid of the tank is very secure...garters are very skilled at escaping. If you have any other questions....please let us know. :)

[Yoshi]

I just put a new water dish in there and I also got a small pinkie for it, I'll see if she'll eat it later or maybe tomorrow. Right now I've just had a large piece of wood to cover it with a little slit along the side for air, hasn't tried to get out, just hiding in the grass I put in. Do they eat mealworms too? My mom keeps saying it might be an eastern ribbon (Thamnophis sauritus sauritus) because when they grabbed for it, it just "ran" away and doesn't try to attack, while my dad said that common garter (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) will strike at you if threatened.

[guidofatherof5]

No bugs.
Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet (http://www.thamnophis.com/index.php?page=caresheet)

[Invisible Snake]

Definitely don't feed her mealworms and I highly doubt she will eat the pinky. You should give her a few days to settle in to her new surroundings and as a first meal try offering small or chopped up canadian nightcrawlers or live feeder fish like guppies. Also try to get an under the tank heat pad or dome light so that she can thermoregulate. If you have anymore questions feel free to ask =]

[snake man]

You just need to be carefull wich fish and even which worms you use.

[Yoshi]

Thought I should show my current set-up. I'm working on getting money for the heat lamps and such, but my room/upstairs is always around 77-78 degrees. I have tried looking for nightcrawlers today but no one seems to have them. I'll probably try to find some guppies and keep them in my dad's fish tank until I try to feed her.
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[guidofatherof5]

Turn over some rocks, patio stones, bricks, logs or pieces of wood. Look in leaf litter(the wet kind). Dig some up out of a safe areas.
Just a suggestion.

[Yoshi]

My mom and I we're looking for worms or anything that I could feed her, but after looking for about an hour or so all we found was some grubs, a couple beetles and roly polies.

[guidofatherof5]

Do you have a Walmart? They sell night crawlers. Do not buy pan fish worms.

[Yoshi]

We went to two walmarts and all they had was crickets in a cup. I will check the third one tomorrow and if they don't have some, I found a bait store close by and hopefully they'll have them.

[guidofatherof5]

Make sure you are buying Canadian night crawlers. Other worms are toxic to garter snakes.

[Yoshi]

Well, I am happy to say that I got some Canadian Nightcrawlers and ecstatic to say that it ate the piece I gave it, even though I wasn't there to see it. I only gave it a piece about 1 in. long cause they are twice the size of the snake. Still waiting for it to let me hold it. I also got a night bulb for it. I might get rid of the soil and replace it with some other substrate tomorrow, because after a few hours the tank gets misty on the inside. Just need a new cover, regular heat bulb, and maybe substrate.

[snake man]

You can also get worms online.

[EasternGirl]

To respond to one of your earlier posts...to clarify...common garter is the general name used for any garter of the Thamnophis sirtalis species. Each subspecies of this species has a more specific and accurate scientific name. Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis is actually the subspecies known as the eastern garter snake. Garters will not necessarily strike when scared...it really depends on the snake. Some strike but do not bite, which is known as the false strike, some will bite...but it is basically harmless, some will musk, and some will coil up and retreat. Some will try to get away...and some will just let you pick them up.

It does look like an eastern garter from that one pic that you posted. If you could post some better pics...we could tell you for certain.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

I would highly recommend you get a thermostat so the snake doesn't overheat which is a risk because I hear you Americans having a very hot summer...You Lucky buggers!:).The American members could recommend a good thermostat for you.Also get a secure lid for your aquarium so the scrub doesn't escape for the they are slippery little things and escape easily from poor fitting lids:)

[Yoshi]

I'm using the thermometer from our chicken incubator (which we no longer use) until I get some more money, since I need to buy 1-2 other things also. It has only tried to escape once (with the lid mostly closed) and that was when I first got it, but since then it's stayed in there even when the lid got knocked off a couple times.

[jitami]

Congrats on your new friend... you're really going to need to work on the lid if you want to keep it, though... they have a mysterious way of disappearing even when you think the lid is secure.

[Yoshi]

Well I found my camera, the pictures are just horrible quality but I'll post them anyway. I also got a video of it eating. I'll upload it to youtube and post the link when it's up, unless someone can tell me an easier way to post videos.
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[ProXimuS]

He almost looks a little reddish in the first two pics. Any one think there is any chance he could be a red sided? I know easterns do also come in different colors too, so not sure.

[Invisible Snake]

He almost looks a little reddish in the first two pics. Any one think there is any chance he could be a red sided? I was thinking the same thing, but it's hard to tell from those pics.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

I would have to say Thamnophis Sirtalis Sirtalis (Eastern Garter snake) the snake was caught in Tennessee where they don't have parietalis. Tennessee only has 1 subspecies of garter and that is the eastern garter. That pic does make it look kind of red though but i think it's just the pic.

[Yoshi]

I just took a closer look at the actual snake and I saw no red. It's head started wobbling a bit and I was wondering if anyone knows what that means? It just started today.

[ProXimuS]

Hmm...That sounds kind of unusual..Sounds a little like it could be something neurological wrong, but without seeing it, I wouldn't be able to say anything for sure. I think some other members could help you a little more. Was it kind of like it was an uncontrolled type of movement?


BLUESIRTALIS, Thanks for that. I hadn't even taken location into consideration:rolleyes:

[-MARWOLAETH-]

They wave their head back and forth to judge distances so nothing to worry about he's either lining you up for a strike or he's just curious.

[ProXimuS]

I've never witnessed this with mine. What is it like? Like Stevie Wonder kinda thing? Because that's what I was imagining:p

[Yoshi]

It seems a bit uncontrolled, it wasn't too bad though just as if your finger twitched a little bit. I've read that it's mostly a neurological "hiccup".

[-MARWOLAETH-]

I've never witnessed this with mine. What is it like? Like Stevie Wonder kinda thing? Because that's what I was imagining:pYeah

[Invisible Snake]

I've witnessed it with my albino marcianus when they were only 5-7 months old. It's like they are bobbing and weaving, it reminds me of boxing a little bit. William is correct in what he said, It's like they're sizing you up. They also do this as a bluff technique to make themselves appear more dangerous than they really are.

If the snake were much older and has been fed a steady diet of goldfish or another unsafe fish, then it would be a cause for concern as it would indicate a thiaminase problem.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

My little one does it when he sees thing moving that are far away it's especially cute when he does with the up periscope move.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Also Steve has a snake called tourette who used to bob her head
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NJxMrG5LO0

[ProXimuS]

If the snake were much older and has been fed a steady diet of goldfish or another unsafe fish, then it would be a cause for concern as it would indicate a thiaminase problem.

That's what I was kind of thinking of since mine doesn't do it. But mine is also some kind of adult. I say "some kind of" because I have no idea how old he is:p But he's 21 in., not baby size.

[ProXimuS]

I've seen that snake being referred to before, didn't know any reason for the name. I just love watching Steve's radixes! They're so cute and friendly:)

[EasternGirl]

Like others have said...garters will lift their heads up and kind of wobble them back and forth when they are checking things out...my babies do it more than my adults. If it is something you notice happening at other times...like when the snake is slithering around or eating...then you might begin to be concerned about a neurological problem. I do have a snake with a neurological problem who has a lot of trouble holding his head still...it always wobbles around...but he also turns upside down all the time. Definitely get that lid secured! The snake will find a way out. As far as the subspecies...I am still sticking with eastern. Looks like an eastern to me.

[tress29]

Definitely get that lid secured! The snake will find a way out.
I have a baby checkered in a snap-lock container with holes drilled in it. He likes to cling up in the lid, and around the handle bits that poke through the lid. It never fails that when I open the lid, he drops off onto the counter, instead of into his tank. Grrrr.