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butcha
08-08-2013, 01:36 AM
Im interested in purchasing one of the bigger types of garters,,,are scotts pretty much the largest, and how are their personalities,,and their ease to breed,,,Thanks

chris-uk
08-08-2013, 02:11 AM
The Mexican species are the largest, other than T. gigas. You're looking at subspecies of the T. eques complex, with obscurus growing large, but I believe one of the largest garters observed was a scotti belonging to a friend of Steven Bol (over 130cm iirc).
The best place to find information about them is Steven Bol's website - Thamnophis eques... - Steven Bol Garter Snakes (http://stevenbolgartersnakes.com/species/thamnophis/eques/) - he's been central to making T. eques available in Europe, and I believe that his snakes were imported to the US and any that are available in the States are offering of his lines.

I keep T. eques cuitzeoensis, and my 3 year old female is considerably larger than my other adult females, at 104cm and 400g she's almost twice the size of my female radix. She's fairly easy to feed, I don't think she's ever refused a meal. The male is a more fussy eater, he'll often refuse feeds for a couple of weeks at a time. Personalities are quite shy, the female is better than the male but she tends be cautious and watches what's going on from a safe hiding place, but will come to the open door when she sees me handling her viv mates. I don't know about personality of scotti.

The Mexicans aren't the most common garters, but there's a fair number of forum members that keep them.

butcha
08-09-2013, 10:17 AM
what about the chapala garters,i hearthey are large as well,,,id like to have some big garters,with personality,,thanks

guidofatherof5
08-09-2013, 10:30 AM
Well, personality just comes with all garters.
Big or small we love them all.;)

chris-uk
08-09-2013, 01:42 PM
I wouldn't select a garter based on size. I guess that's part of the appeal of some species, but surely you want a snake that you like looking at? If large size is your primary criteria for choosing a snake then garters aren't the obvious choice.

gibble888
08-09-2013, 01:48 PM
Maybe a female infernalis in shed.....mine tends to have personality lol..:mad:

butcha
08-10-2013, 03:18 AM
i want garters for their daytime habits, id just like to get some of the lager ones