(Distant) future snake owner here... hi!

[fishmostly]

Hey! My name's Raegan. I recently discovered the crazy amount of diversity in the Common Garter Snake (13 recognized subspecies! Wow!) and, upon doing further research, decided I wanted to own one as a pet (someday). So here I am! About me: Fish tank maniac (which explains my username, plus it's also the name of my blog), central Texas, currently a senior in high school, planning on studying Aquatic Biology in college. I figure that I'll be able to actually own a garter snake of my own after college, but until then I want to learn as much as I can, pick up tips and tricks, and get to know people who are current owners. So... hello!

[infernalis]

http://www.varanid.us/mat.jpg

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard.

[guidofatherof5]

Great to have you with us. A good place to start would be the care sheet. Any additional questions can be posted to the members.
Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet (http://www.thamnophis.com/index.php?page=caresheet)
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//744/medium/welcome.jpg

[slipknot711]

welcome! im relatively new myself and these are great people to ask questions. Very helpful and dont make you feel silly for asking "simple" questions. youll love it here

[fishmostly]

Thanks! I was suuuuuper nervous about actually starting a thread, I was lurking for like a week before actually creating an account, and then lurked for another couple of days before introducing myself. Anyone here going to Repticon in Houston (January 11-12)? I am! I hope that someone will bring garters, just so that I can get a good look at one up close!

[infernalis]

There is nothing to be nervous about posting here, we are like a big family with an open door.

[fishmostly]

I've found that most online communities are, but that doesn't seem to take away that rush of uncertainty when one first introduces oneself. So, what is there to do for non-snake owners? It's not like I can offer any advice (unless someone needs help with planted aquariums! I'm great at those!) as I've only even held a snake a handful of times.

[infernalis]

ask questions, compliment others, be yourself. ;)

[infernalis]

So tell us what drew you to aquatic biology?

Have you heard about the plans to dredge shipping lanes in the barrier reef?

[fishmostly]

I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of interesting vivariums people have set up-- as an aquarist I'm used to seeing "natural" (heavily planted) enclosures, and it seems odd to me that (from what I've read so far) planted vivariums are seen as not worth it when the inhabitant is just going to smear waste everywhere. I've browsed a few threads, does anyone have any examples that stand out as noteworthy?

Aquatic biology was a symptom of keeping aquariums-- I like fish and plants and invertebrates that live in water so much that it only seems logical that I pursue a degree in it, especially since Texas State has a really amazing undergraduate program.

Yes, I have heard about the dredging, even though I tend to only concern myself with freshwater happenings. It's still sad.

[slipknot711]

I've found that most online communities are, but that doesn't seem to take away that rush of uncertainty when one first introduces oneself. So, what is there to do for non-snake owners? It's not like I can offer any advice (unless someone needs help with planted aquariums! I'm great at those!) as I've only even held a snake a handful of times.

ive always had fish tanks. but i got big fat 8inch fancy goldfish(dirty pigs) and i can plant live plants they eat them and rip them up like i pissed them off. PM me if you got any questions you dont wanna ask out "loud" yet maybe i can help. or PM me with any planted tank advice. Thnx hun

[gibble888]

Welcome

[Mommy2many]

Welcome to the forum!

[aquamentus_11]

welcome. i believe that some of the mexican subspecies (blackbellied?) tend to be much more on the aquatic side of semi-aquatic. might be right up your alley. i forget who was working with them though.

p.s. i agree...freshwater is much cooler. (< great lakes shout out)

[chris-uk]

Welcome aboard.

I have a community tank (just a small 180 litre tank) that used to be heavily planted, when I moved house I decided to remove most of the plants and have had problems with algae ever since. Now I need time to get it planted up again...

You want to do a search for some of the outdoor enclosures that some of the Dutch and German keepers have, they are an interesting way to keep garters.

[fishmostly]

welcome. i believe that some of the mexican subspecies (blackbellied?) tend to be much more on the aquatic side of semi-aquatic. might be right up your alley. i forget who was working with them though.

Thanks, I'll have to look into them! Not sure how different the enclosures would be though, would I get to have an actual, filtered "pool"? A little stream would be nice, although the enclosure would have to be huge.


p.s. i agree...freshwater is much cooler. (< great lakes shout out)
Heck yeah! The worst part is when people tell me that I want to be a marine biologist.

[Selkielass]

One if my michigan species, t. Butlerii does great in a naturalistic vivarium w moist soil filled w native Isopoda and springtails. They are tough little snakes who have a high natural resistance to scale rot.

id hesitate to put larger species in a bio-active habitat as it would have to be pretty big, and big snake poops would take days to get cleaned up by the crew. My checkered is also a lot more susceptible to scale rot- he wouldn't handle moist substrate well.

[drumcrush]

I suck with keeping fish lol

[mikem]

Welcome to the forum!