T. radix Ranch 2014

[guidofatherof5]

Went out and collected a few earthworms today. We are still having cold nights here as Spring hasn't sprung just yet. No radixes have been sighted yet but it should be any day now.

[rickymar81]

So exciting.

[guidofatherof5]

I heard a snake in the leaves this morning but never got sight of it. Sneaky little scrub.

[Eddie]

I'm going snake hunting in the morning. I cant wait!

[jwolfe152]

Ditto on the hunting...first mushrooms then snakes lol i gotta eat too

[guidofatherof5]

Spring must be on the way as my Thamnophis are going crazy for food. Today, I started off with worms which were met with exuberance but the mice were met with a frenzy. I had a couple big girls who were off food but today showed up for the mice buffet.
I wanted to go out and get some earthworms but it raining too hard for that. I don't want to mess up my hair.:D

[jwolfe152]

Yea yesterday i found a salamander in my yard under a rock with leaf litter and i brought it in for a closer look and was near the tanks and in led than a minute all 4 of them was out flicking there tongues and climbing the walls so i got out some pinkies i had left and now i got 4 happy bulging sunning Thams. I was quite surprised because my 2 younger ones don't seem to ever want to eat but they got a nicer bulge yesterday. I got a question about the salamanders (i may have asked this before) but they a quite abundant (salamanders) where i grabbed all of them (the garters) would anyone see a problem feeding the garters salamanders every one and a while...maybe once a month if i freeze them for a month or so to reduce the parasite concern? I'm sure they all have some parasites being wc but no vets i called wanted to deal with seeing them (i don't think any of them deal specifically with snakes or at least not garters. Sorry to hijack but I didn't think to start a new post until i was already done writing it all. Lazy i guess :p

[Eddie]

I went to my favorite garter hunting spots today and did not see any at all. It was about 70 degrees out. The winter was very cold here. I hope not too many of them died off in hibernation. The places I go are almost always crawling with garters this time of year.
I will try again next week.

[guidofatherof5]

Yea yesterday i found a salamander in my yard under a rock with leaf litter and i brought it in for a closer look and was near the tanks and in led than a minute all 4 of them was out flicking there tongues and climbing the walls so i got out some pinkies i had left and now i got 4 happy bulging sunning Thams. I was quite surprised because my 2 younger ones don't seem to ever want to eat but they got a nicer bulge yesterday. I got a question about the salamanders (i may have asked this before) but they a quite abundant (salamanders) where i grabbed all of them (the garters) would anyone see a problem feeding the garters salamanders every one and a while...maybe once a month if i freeze them for a month or so to reduce the parasite concern? I'm sure they all have some parasites being wc but no vets i called wanted to deal with seeing them (i don't think any of them deal specifically with snakes or at least not garters. Sorry to hijack but I didn't think to start a new post until i was already done writing it all. Lazy i guess :p

Wild salamanders and frogs will introduce parasites to your snakes. We have a varied diet of safe food we can feed our friends so I don't see a need to feed the salamanders off.
Amphibian Eco-systems are very delicate and should be left alone, in my opinion.;)

[guidofatherof5]

Had a break in the rain so I collected 5 earthworms. Still no slugs out yet.
The five earthworms lasted about 30 seconds once feeding began.:D

[guidofatherof5]

Two days ago the high was 83°F/27°C and this morning I awoke to this:
This is typical Iowa Spring weather.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//821/medium/spring1.jpg

[slipknot711]

i see you have the same issue with weather as new england! lol

[guidofatherof5]

I see why my wild radixes stayed in their dens/shelter.

I'm glad I saved and brought those earthworms in yesterday.
Now, they're in a nice warm place (snake belly):D

[jwolfe152]

No better place for them to be imo lol

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Wow! So that's where them snow plains garters came from! Lol!
two days ago the high was 83°f/27°c and this morning i awoke to this:
this is typical iowa spring weather.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//821/medium/spring1.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Nicely done.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

I couldn't help myself!
Nicely done.

[guidofatherof5]

Today, the kids and I were out doing some yard work in the back yard. I took a break to collect about 50 earthworms for some of my smaller scrubs.
Bounty from nature. My T. ordinoides - Northwestern garter snakes will go crazy for these. Within the next month the slugs will appear, then the Northwesterns will be in a frenzy.

[jwolfe152]

I wish mine ate garden slugs i can usually find a few now and again but now 3 of then will eat pinkies worms and fish and i got one finicky little s***head that only wants worms and they have to be big and fat

[guidofatherof5]

Big fat worm slime smeared all over a pinky would be a good try. This after letting the problem child miss a meal beforehand.
Hungry garters tend to be less finicky/spoiled.:D

[guidofatherof5]

The grass is growing and we have a storm moving in to give us some much needed rain. Looks like the lows for the next week won't go below the high 40's so I think my wild radix bunch should be making an appearance. I've been watching the basement window wells in the snake room for any visitors. Looks like my under the deck den camera is on the fritz. Not sure I'll have the money for another replacement. I'll do my best to get it going again.

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/general-talk/5431-t-radix-den.html

[guidofatherof5]

My Mr. Green Jeans was sniffing around my girl Lucky. Spring is in the air.
It's been 2 years since Lucky has produced any little radix scrubs so this would be a good thing.

[guidofatherof5]

My wait to see some of my wild friends is over. While there was still a little sun out I went to the back yard to continue spring cleanup. Nearing the garden I saw a medium size female radix heading into a hole in the dirt. Hoping for more luck, I flip a couple hides in that area.
This is what I found. A beautiful little female T. radix - Plains garter snake
That's not hot fudge on my fingers but it was warm:D

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//821/medium/spring_2014_1st.jpg

[rickymar81]

Niiiiiiiice..... your so lucky:D

[guidofatherof5]

While raking up a pile of leaves that should have been raked up 2 seasons ago I found a very cold last year female radix. She was a light brown phase. A few minutes in my hand warmed her up and I released he in a safe location. Sorry, no camera with me.

[jwolfe152]

Mmmmmmmm hot fudge...you lucky dog snakes and ice cream toppings :P

[guidofatherof5]

The rain has stopped so I went out and checked a few hides. Under the grain shovel hide I found this beautiful little female. As small as she is she must have been born late last Fall.
A couple quick photos and she's back under the hide.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//821/medium/pretty_little_female_2014_scrub.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//821/medium/pretty_little_female_2014_1_scrub.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Found two radixes while I was doing some yard clean up. This first one was so sweet. The second snake was very angry that I disturbed her.
The young female was released in the garden shelter area and the bigger female was allowed t go under the deck.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/spring_2014_female.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/2014_female_mad.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/2014_spring_female_angry.jpg

[gibble888]

Lucky man...today during morel hunting which is also herping keeping an eye out for copperheads i didnt see a single snake of any kind...hopefully better luck next weekend.

[guidofatherof5]

Lucky and blessed to have so many wild radixes just outside my doors. It will be nice to see them sunning on the deck and hand feeding them. Wild or captive I love my radixes.

[guidofatherof5]

Found this good looking boy(T. radix - Plains Garter Snake) in the garden this morning.
He was very pleasant and happy to be released back in the garden, I'm sure I'll see him again this year.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/spring_2014_male.jpg

[NickB]

I don't post much on this forum any more but I love to check in on your Ranch threads still. You should really write a blog, your posts are awesome.

[guidofatherof5]

I don't post much on this forum any more but I love to check in on your Ranch threads still. You should really write a blog, your posts are awesome.

Thank you. Don't know anything about blogs.;)

[jwolfe152]

You know i think he is right you should start one...if you don't know something...google it lol :D or wikipedia they are NEVER wrong lol

[guidofatherof5]

Did some yard work today and never saw a single radix. They must be preparing for the big storms due in the next 24 hours. Smart little snakes.

[guidofatherof5]

A trip out to my shed late this evening allowed me to see 3 of my wild T. radixes out hunting and feeding on night crawlers. It's interesting to watch the snakes struggle to get the worm out of the hole. On two occasions the worm broke but the radixes got the majority of them.
After the break they went back on the hunt, this all while I shined a flash lite on them.

[jwolfe152]

Hmmm I never thought about looking at night for them (garters) but it makes sense i might pop out and see if anyone awake lol

[guidofatherof5]

Big storms moving in here. The radixes will be out tonight doing some heavy feeding.

[guidofatherof5]

Big storms last night. Windy and cold today and for the rest of the week. Won't be much radix activity for awhile.

[guidofatherof5]

Just found a beautiful little female T. radix in my basement. She's getting some water right now.
I'll post a photo tomorrow.

[wolfpacksved]

Just found a beautiful little female T. radix in my basement. She's getting some water right now.
I'll post a photo tomorrow.
do you find other species of snakes on your property? i.e., bullsnakes, racers, etc?

[guidofatherof5]

Nope, just T. radixes. I love it.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Steve wouldn't have it any other way!
Nope, just T. radixes. I love it.

[guidofatherof5]

It's early evening here at the T. radix Ranch so I decided to walk out to the shed to see if any of my wild friends were out. I checked all the hides and came up empty. While back at my shed I stopped to enjoy the moment. The birds were all settling in for the night. It was then I heard the sound of a garter snake in the leaves behind my shed. Behind my shed is a mess. I use that area to store my leftover siding from the job I completed 5 years ago and a bunch of other junk. I quietly approached the area and spotted a couple garters breeding. I rushed to the house for a camera and by the time I returned the snakes were in a more private area out of sight. From the sounds of it I should have some babies in the area in about 60 days.
Looking forward to seeing the little scrubs.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/behind_shed.jpg

[chris-uk]

A professional Peeping Tom would have had their camera with them Steve. :-)

[guidofatherof5]

A professional Peeping Tom would have had their camera with them Steve. :-)

Then I guess I know what I am.:D

[chris-uk]

Then I guess I know what I am.:D

A mere amateur. :D

[guidofatherof5]

A mere amateur. :D

Finally, recognize for my true abilities.

[guidofatherof5]

I found this male T. radix - Plains Garter Snake under the grain shovel hide in the back yard. As you can see he needs a little help with that injured tail section. He also has a couple scars on the top of his tail along with a missing scale in his neck area. I'll treat the scale problem with some Betadine and probably let my vet. clean that dead tail piece off, looks like a lawn mower injury. That belly pattern looks familiar to me. Just like one of my males I released 2 years ago. He was very calm when I picked him up. I wonder.............:rolleyes:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/tail_male3_spring_2014.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/tail_male1_spring_2014.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/tail_male2_spring_2014.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Decided against having the dead part of the tail removed. Mother nature has been doing a great job with the injury as there was no signs of infection. I felt there was more of a chance of infection if the injury was opened up. I treated the minor scale problem with Betadine. He had a good soaking and gave a nice poop so now he's back out under the grain shovel hide. I wish him well and hope to see him again as the season progresses.

[guidofatherof5]

I spotted that male out in the garden area this morning during a rain.

[guidofatherof5]

I found this beautiful female while whacking a few weeds. She was the second of 3 I saw. The large adult female I saw went into the neighbors yard and a male went under my deck. I also found evidence that the snake are back in the siding as usual. Poop marks the spot.:D

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/2014_female_.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/2014_female_1.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/poop_marks_the_spot.jpg

[rickymar81]

You are a lucky man Steve! Nice looking girl

[guidofatherof5]

Just spotted this male out along the deck. I think he was out to get a cool drink of water from the bowl I leave out for them.
By the way, if you ever wondered if wild garter poop in their water supplies like they do in captivity? Trust me, they do :D

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/little_2014_male.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

The poop by the siding opening was pretty good evidence that the garters were active in the siding but I think this photo nails it down. I took this just a few moments ago. This male was out wandering and wasn't too concerned until I moved the flash lite beam around. I returned a few moments later to find him in this position. I made a quick run to the yard and gathered a few night crawlers. I put them at the entrance to the deck so hopefully some of my wild ones will have a good meal. It probably wasn't necessary as rain is moving in and I sure the kids will be out hunting soon.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/poop_marks_the_spot.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/night_herp.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Looks like I've got some cleaning to do. No one to blame but myself. That's right where I left them some food.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/poop_stain.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Give them some food, water and shelter and this is what you get. A nice shed from a wild male T. radix - Plains Garter Snake

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/growth_sign.jpg

[chris-uk]

And who knows how many sheds you have around the grounds and under the house that you don't find? :D

[guidofatherof5]

And who knows how many sheds you have around the grounds and under the house that you don't find? :D

What a lovely thought, Chris. Thanks.:D

[guidofatherof5]

While checking the property for damage from yesterday's storm I checked under the grain shovel hide. This good looking young female was there. After a couple photos she was returned to her hide.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/2014_female_3.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/2014_female_2.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Checking my outside hides this morning I found this nice little male. Looks like he had a good night hunting night crawlers.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/garden_hide.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/garden_hide1.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Today was a yard work day so I busted out the riding mower and headed to the front yard. This requires taking down a fence section and today also required moving some item. My son's car was in a tight spot so getting through meant stuff had to be moved. I flipped a piece of wood out of the way and found this beautiful red phase T. radix - Plains garter snake under it. The photos don't do her justice as her red is much more prominent. She was a mean girl, biting and slinging musk. I love her. I think she will stay inside. She has an interesting tint to her body color and I'd like to see what it looks like when she's an adult.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/mean_girl1.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/mean_girl.jpg

[chris-uk]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/mean_girl.jpg

You can pick out the red in this second photo.

[guidofatherof5]

I used my Sony in natural cloudy sunlight with no flash. Usually my Sony does a better job.

[gibble888]

She is a beauty...."biting and slinging musk. I love her." That part gave me a chuckle....thanks.

[rickymar81]

She is gorgeous.

[Dan72]

Lucky! My son and I just came back from a walk with no luck. She is a beauty.

[guidofatherof5]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/mean_girl.jpg

She took a very large night crawler today. She looks pleasingly plump.
I won't disturb her as she seems very nervous and I'd like her to keep her food down.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Very Nice!

[Saji]

Wow that's like a red/rust coloring. That is very cool. I'm guessing you found that in a rural area or was it in a city?

[guidofatherof5]

Wow that's like a red/rust coloring. That is very cool. I'm guessing you found that in a rural area or was it in a city?

We have two local Thamnophis in this part of Iowa.
T. radix - Plains garter and T. sirtalis parietalis - Red Sided Garter
T. radix are city snakes and T. s. parietalis are country snakes.
This particular radix was found in my side yard

[Saji]

You are a very lucky man.

[guidofatherof5]

You are a very lucky man.

Thanks, I prefer Blessed man;)

[Saji]

So do I:D

[guidofatherof5]

I've been seeing this female all year long so today I decided to get a quick photo. She was pleasant and easy going. She's a nice dark brown phase T. radix - Plains Garter. When I released her she headed for the garden/shelter area. I'm guessing she had her first litter this year.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//849/medium/20140920_112636_Android.jpg

[joeysgreen]

What I thought neat was up here there was a DOR with 32 full term offspring inside. I wonder if it was a double clutch? The first litter I saw this year was back in earl June.

[guidofatherof5]

What I thought neat was up here there was a DOR with 32 full term offspring inside. I wonder if it was a double clutch? The first litter I saw this year was back in earl June.

I would guess double clutch.

[joeysgreen]

Me too; I just didn't think they tried that up here; we've already had our first snow; albeit some nice weather since.

Ian