Another one? Bigger and mild injuries....

[doomkitty]

It is apparent that even though I live in apartment complex (albeit near some rural spots) the Garter snake population is thriving. My daughter has brought home another one. This one is significantly bigger than baby, but on closer inspection appears mildly injured. I have one tank, so this bring on a whole host of new questions. Can I keep two snakes together that are so significantly different in size? Do the little lacerations look severe? Or should I tell my daughter to let this one go?

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[guidofatherof5]

My suggestion would be to return it back to where it came from. You are just starting out, better to work with that first snake. Get it established and thriving then consider getting another snake. It will certainly be less stress on you and your daughter working with only one animal.

It's a beautiful T. ordinoides.

[doomkitty]

My concern was the little nicks on its underbelly. I will have her let it go :) should I put anything on the nicks before I let it go?

[chris-uk]

The lacerations look like old animal bites to me, probably an old encounter with a domestic moggie. I wouldn't be concerned about them, and as Steve suggested it may be a good move to release her and learn about garter husbandry one at a time if you don't have another tank ready.

[chris-uk]

We crossed posts so missed your latest question.

If the wounds are pretty much healed I'd leave them alone. If there is still any exposed tissue in the bites you could treat with a little antiseptic (Hibiclens is a common one in the US and many keepers have some in their snake first aid kits, I had some brought back from the States by a friend), that would just give her immune system a helping hand before going back into the wild.

[doomkitty]

Big snake was set free. I've asked the same question on my other post but I'll ask here too. In some of the threads on this forum, it's mention young snakes can sometimes do better when there is more than one. Would baby that I have possibly do better if there was another one same size/age?

[guidofatherof5]

It's possible but getting it established first is most important.

[doomkitty]

Thank you. The transition from wild to cage bound must be shocking enough as it is, without me throwing new room mates into the mix. Baby seems to be doing well. The question popped up as more curiosity for the future; once baby is established should I attempt a room mate (all the pretty colours :) )...

[guidofatherof5]

I would wait to see how well established this one gets. This one might be just fine with its new situation. Northwesterns are awesome little snakes, I love the ones I have. They are my second favorite Thamnophis.

[ConcinusMan]

My concern was the little nicks on its underbelly.

What do you mean by "nicks" ? if it's just portions of scales missing, with no red, raw, open wounds, it's nothing to worry about. Sometimes they hibernate in waterlogged dens and they get a little scale rot on their bellies. The scales won't grow back but as long as it isn't active rot/inflamed/red, etc. it's no biggie.

[doomkitty]

The nicks were on the underside of it's tail, you can just barely see them in one of the photos. There is no exposed flesh so I did not put anything on them before had y daughter let the bigger one go.

[guidofatherof5]

The nicks were on the underside of it's tail, you can just barely see them in one of the photos. There is no exposed flesh so I did not put anything on them before had y daughter let the bigger one go.

Nice job.

[ConcinusMan]

Sorry, I missed that. Those are old healed injuries. Looks like a cat got a hold of it. This time of year, they are going back to their overwintering grounds and you must be adjacent to it or else they are hibernating in/under your building. That's the reason youre suddenly encountering so many. That can make it seem like a population is thriving when in reality it could in rapid steep decline. Populations that keep encountering people, cats, lawn mowers, etc. rarely last long. I bet in a few years they'll be all but gone unless there's a lot of undeveloped land right around you.

Now, if you're intent on keeping a snake or two I don't see a problem with trying 2-3 at once. That way you pick one or two of the best adapted ones. In other words, the ones that eat first and consistent. Then you can release any that don't do well. They are individuals. Some do quite fine and will eat and be tame, some don't. If youre going to keep one, it's best if it's one that doesn't give you any trouble as far as eating and calming down goes.

Once you get one like that and it's been doing well for a few months and you earn it's trust, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how sweet and intelligent they can be. :) My miss piggy (RIP) was a real sweetheart from the moment I found her. She was tame from the get-go. I picked her up and she didn't fuss one bit.


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