New here but not new to Garters!

[pinkypink]

Just wanted to say hello, my name is Melissa. I have been in love with Garters since I had my first one as a kid. Currently I have 4 Garters, 2.2 group. High Red Plains, Florida Blue, Checkered Albino, and my newest addition a Neon Blue Puget that I picked up at NARBC Tinley Park from Amy Zerkle!

My guys are set up in a naturalistic viv complete with live substrate. Thought Id say high to everyone!

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard.

[taharial]

Hi Melissa, and WOW, what beauties!

[indigoman]

Welcome aboard! Amy does have some nice garters.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

:)Welcome to the thamily:)

[BUSHSNAKE]

I went to Tinley too. But i didnt get anything:)

[guidofatherof5]

Nice to have you with us.
That red radix is on fire. Very nice.
Being a new member I would be amiss to not give a link to the care sheet. It's always a good read.
Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet (http://www.thamnophis.com/index.php?page=caresheet)
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//744/medium/welcome.jpg

[Invisible Snake]

Welcome to the forum, I'm loving the belly coloring of your High Red Plains.

Any chance we could see some close up pics of your Neon Blue Pugets? :D

[guidofatherof5]

I want more radix photos. Please.:D

[snake man]

Welcome, I'm liking the snakes.

[pinkypink]

Thank everyone!! Yes RustyGuts is just crazy colorful! I'll get some more pics up!

For those on FB here is the full album of my group!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3197805866017.2122349.1292110509&type=3

Thanks Guidofather I actually read the caresheet and already learned something. Ive had garters since I was like 8 years old...mostly WC one when younger like most of us. I always fed "red worms" along with fish, tadpoles, earthworms. I actually got some free red wigglers from Timberline at Tinley and have fed a few...I didn't know they were toxic. :eek: I tossed them last night as I panicked!

Is there a difference between red worms and red wigglers? Ive never lost a garter and like I said had used red worms for years.

[pinkypink]

Here are some pics of the puget. Don't have many at this point just cause he's sooo dang small! :)

[katach]

Welcome to the forum! Great group you have.

[ProXimuS]

Hello and welcome! Very nice snakes:)

[guidofatherof5]

Red worms or red wigglers. Toxic by any name.

[SilasBannook]

While I was out of town for a few weeks, my wife went to the bait shop and bought a box of RED GIANT TROUT WORMS. I did notice that they had the same banding identified as a no-no on the care sheet for worms. Figured I would try it because my daughter had success with them while I was gone. When I got to the snake terrariums and opened my hand, I noticed a yellowish-white creamy goo on the worms. Needless to say at that point they didn't even make it to my wife's garden but instead got a ticket to the local landfill.

Bottom line from my experience and what my daughter told me is that even though the red worms are on the toxic list they won't always exude their toxic defense every time. You just don't want to be responsible for missing it if they do and your snakes ingest it. I did find out that our baby radix did regurgitate a couple worm pieces while I was gone and the first night I was back. They obviously have the potential to make the little guys sick and as others have said if you feed them too many it could kill them.

Glad you picked that up from the care sheet.

[RedSidedSPR]

Night crawlers taste better anyway :p

[ConcinusMan]

You think those are good, you should try human food Jesse.:p

Melissa Borden (on that facebook photo page) thinks CB garters are hard to find. I suppose they are, if you're looking in the wild, or even pet stores. Anything is hard to find if you're looking in the wrong places.:p

[thamneil]

Welcome from a rainy Manitoba!

I like how each garter is a different colour. You have quite the rainbow going for you. Your red phase radix is truly stunning.