Got a call to pick up a rescue.

[Artic Exotics]

Just for fun I figure id tell you how i was woke up this morning....

So my vet calls me and says


Vet: hey, ive got this garter snake here that was surrendered. I dont want to put it down and I know you have a group of garters wanna come pick it up?....

Me: Did you really have to ask? <Chuckles.>

Leaving now to go get the beastie. :D

[guidofatherof5]

That's great.

[Foxrun402]

Wooohooo thats awesome! Can't wait to see pics of the new addition!

[Invisible Snake]

Awesome. Post pictures of the rescue :)

[d_virginiana]

Why do people not call me up asking if I want free garters??

Post pics once you get him home :)

[Greg'sGarters]

Post up pictures ASAP. I just want to let all of you guys know, I also take rescues.

[ProXimuS]

Awesome:cool: Can't wait to see!

[Selkielass]

Cool!
I wonder what you'll get...

[Artic Exotics]

Well I got there and what i thought would be one garter ended up being two. And well not garters.. at least in the sense of them not being Thamnophis specie. I now have a pair of xenochrophis vittatus.. the striped keelback AKA the "indonesian garter". Couldnt gather much info on these guys but i believe its a sexed pair just from the visual differences. Very calm, very docile and apparently a little venomous too. Also a bit picky. Im yet to be able to get the buggers to eat anything at all (sigh).

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Have you tried live guppies or any fish yet? I also heard that some of them will eat live pinkies.
Well I got there and what i thought would be one garter ended up being two. And well not garters.. at least in the sense of them not being Thamnophis specie. I now have a pair of xenochrophis vittatus.. the striped keelback AKA the "indonesian garter". Couldnt gather much info on these guys but i believe its a sexed pair just from the visual differences. Very calm, very docile and apparently a little venomous too. Also a bit picky. Im yet to be able to get the buggers to eat anything at all (sigh).

[ProXimuS]

Wow, You'll have to put up pics! I don't know anything about these, but hope you get them eating soon.

[guidofatherof5]

Parasite screening is imperative.

[Light of Dae]

Found this,
Xenochrophis vittatus - CaptiveBred Reptile Forums, Reptile Classified, Forum (http://www.captivebredreptileforums.co.uk/snakes-general/53173-xenochrophis-vittatus.html)

It was the most info I could dig up, sounds right n its from a couple people who keep them. They like it cool it seems... Hope it helps!

Cannot wait to see pictures!

[MasSalvaje]

I had luck feeding live fish (I used Platies). I was able to switch it to pinkies by putting a thawed pinky in with a live Platy, 95% of the time it would get to the pinky before the fish. I was never able to switch it over to anything out of water though, not even fish (live or dead). They are a very cool snake that I wish I could find somewhere, but Steve was right. I highly recommend a good de-parasite regimen. I don't know what others would recommend but I would put feeding as the top priority though.

Here is a pic of the one I had.
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/Massalvaje/DSCN7155.jpg

-Thomas

[Stefan-A]

Found this,
Xenochrophis vittatus - CaptiveBred Reptile Forums, Reptile Classified, Forum (http://www.captivebredreptileforums.co.uk/snakes-general/53173-xenochrophis-vittatus.html)


(they are no longer classified as Xenochrophis vittatus by the way, now they are known by most authorities as Natrix vittata),
This is incorrect, the person who wrote that has it completely ***-backwards. The species belonging to Xenochrophis were formerly named Natrix, but no more. "Natrix vittata" is obsolete.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

These snakes carry a heavy parasite load and stress, but i assumed if his vet gave them to him that they were probably already treated.
Parasite screening is imperative.

[Selkielass]

Very cool!
I remember people here talking about big box pet stores selling these as garters, and people have mentioned the high stress and mortality rate from importation.
I hope they thrive for you.

[Invisible Snake]

Here are some old threads concerning striped keelbacks,

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/garter-snake-lounge/5251-striped-keelback-indonesian-garters.html

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/garter-snake-lounge/9974-xenochrophis-vittatus.html

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/urgent-care/4886-not-eating-3.html