My first garters

[eden1968ie]

As promised in my introduction, here's a couple of pics of my first pair of garters.
I can definitely say that they won't be my last....

Martin

1017310174

[chris-uk]

When I saw the photos I thought I'd seen them before - you posted these photos on RFUK, right?
There can't be too many tetrataenia in Ireland. Did you ship them over from Europe? They aren't a bad species to start with, but not necessarily the easiest as I found mine to need a bit more patience to get him to take food when he was small (now he eats like a pig).
Also, as you have a pair it suggests that you may have plans to breed them? Do you know how they are related? I'm sure you'll be aware that all tetrataenia in European hands are related to some degree. There was a great article that Fons (username "Thamnophis" on here) posted last year that detailed what is known about the European lines.

[eden1968ie]

Hi Chris, I've always been interested in garters (especially tetrataenia) and when a mate of mine decided that he was going travelling
later this year, and had to trim back his collection, I was only too happy to take this pair off his hands. He would
only sell them as a pair. He imported them from Holland in February 2013 but I'll try to do a little more digging on their background.
He told me that they were fantastic feeders on mice / rat pups and fuzzy mice, and true to word, they both took a rat pup tonight.
He always fed them rodents, do you think that I should supplement the rodents with fish or should I leave well enough alone.

Martin

[chris-uk]

I'd do a bit more digging on the background of the pair - chances are that the Dutch breeder is a member of this forum. For me the crucial information is whether you have a sibling pair or if they are from different parents - there's already enough inbreeding in most tetrataenia lines.

I'd try to get them eating some fish as well as the rodents. I use whole frozen smelt and my little guy loves it. More variety in the diet is never a bad thing. How heavy are they? In the photo they don't look skinny so they are obviously feeding well.

[EKS56]

Pretty... :)

[guidofatherof5]

Very nice.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Ok i'm jealous! Very nice!