Canadian Garter Snake Keepers

[MafiaM16]

With the general lack of garter snake keepers in Canada, I thought it'll be a good idea to get a small little thread going on.

I'm quite curious if anyone know of any breeders? I've contacted Scott for a possible shipment this year, but he told me he wasn't doing one or is not planning one at this time. So far I've only seen checkered garter snakes for sale (wild type and albino) and saw someone selling some plains (wild type, reds, and albinos). Never jumped on these, sadly. I should certainly do so in the future! I currently only 'keep' Eastern garters which I find and care for awhile before releasing them back into the wild (generally these snakes I get from neighbours who were either afraid of them or simply dislike them, or I find them out during the winter).

Any answers and/or help for locating breeders within Canada is greatly appreciated!

[guidofatherof5]

Found a couple threads for you to look through.

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/general-talk/12954-canadian-breeders.html

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/general-talk/11725-canadian-order-2013-a.html

[Tommytradix]

im actually doing a shipment to toranto canada at the end of the summer but its only to one person hes buying 10 plus snakes couple different species and morphs so you can expect to see them for sale next season

[MafiaM16]

Thanks for the replies.
I just checked out those threads and now I have some names to go on. Only issue I see now is that no activity within those threads in two years... not sure if I'll find any luck now (I am probably too late), but who knows.
Also, that is awesome news. Lucky fellow indeed! Hopefully I'll be able to pick up some of those babies next year.

I'm going to go ahead and share some photographs of my current group of Eastern garter snakes later on tonight. So expect to see some nice looking wild types.

[Zdravko092368]

Looking forward to the photos mafiaM, btw i'm that lucky guy you're referring too.

[Tommytradix]

cats outta the bag lol

[MafiaM16]

Ah ha! Great to meet you! Not sure if it's spoiling anything, but care to share what you managed to pick up from Tommy here? Quite interested.
Also... seems I can't post URLs yet or something. Keeps giving me an error whenever I try to link my Imgur album or individual images. Oh well then.

[Zdravko092368]

It's not set in stone yet but if everything goes as planned hoping for plains, oregon-red spotted and california red-sided garter snakes at the very least. I have easterns and checkered garters already.

[Tommytradix]

i will most likely do one shipment every summer from this year on

[MafiaM16]

All species I wouldn't mind getting my hands on in the future. Great stuff and hopefully everything works out!
And that sounds like a great idea, Tommy. (Obviously...) We need more garter snake keepers in Canada.

[MafiaM16]

Managed to get some photographs of the snakes. Simply check out my Gallery since I have a few descriptions of the snakes there and I can't post links just yet... Mostly I am interested in what others think of the individual known as 'Piggie' (I like to name my snakes for data keeping). It's not so much his colour and pattern that puts me off, but more so his head shape. The comparison between it and another more normal looking snake is shown as well, both snakes are roughly the same size with Piggie be the larger of the two.

[joeysgreen]

There are quite a few gartersnake keepers in Alberta, but they seem to keep to themselves. I expect san frans to be commonly available in the next few years as that's what I see the most of. Lots of other west coast species too, but in less numbers and I'm uncertain if anyone is breeding them.

[Spankenstyne]

Ian are you sure you're seeing lots of San Frans? I know Jim brought in just a couple of pairs from Europe and our female passed. I don't know of too many others that would be around unless some of the super secret eastern folk have released some lately? Hope it's true..

We did just have some infernalis babies, should be available in a month or so depending on how well they take to feeding.

[Zdravko092368]

Ian are you sure you're seeing lots of San Frans? I know Jim brought in just a couple of pairs from Europe and our female passed. I don't know of too many others that would be around unless some of the super secret eastern folk have released some lately? Hope it's true..

We did just have some infernalis babies, should be available in a month or so depending on how well they take to feeding.


I was going to comment on that as well... as far as I know Tetrataenia definitely are not popular in Canada, no garters are really. Maybe he was thinking of Infernalis, which have risen in popularity by an absurd amount in the last two years. I'm having some brought in myself. Sjoerd Van veen I remember mentioned he was planning a shipment of Tetrataenia to Canada last year but I don't know if that's still going to be a thing.

[joeysgreen]

Chris, congratulations on the infernalis!

And no, I'm definitely not confusing species. There are San Fran's out there. When someone brings in a Snake they've paid a grand for, they have done there homework... and it's hard to stump me on identifications. While we may be "in the know" in the hobby, by being part of reptile clubs, intimate with importer/exporters etc., there is still a huge part of the hobby that is out of the spotlight. These people have imported them privately, most often from Europe when it comes to this species. Actually, if I recall, one hobbyist was a European that moved with his small collection.

Ian

[Spankenstyne]

Yep fair enough. I know you know your stuff. I've just heard a number of anecdotal stories about tetrataenia the last couple of years that seem to always turn out to be something else, so the "that's what I see the most of" comment struck me as odd. I know there are others out there, particularly in Eastern Canada, so it's good to know you're seeing them out here too.

[Albert Clark]

Well I think t. infernalis and t. concinnus is a far safer route to obtain the west coast species than to take on unnecessary risks. There is a reason t. tetrataenia is protected. Come on guys, we just made some small strides with the Lacey Act injunction. Lets not take steps backwards. Stay in peace and not pieces.

[joeysgreen]

Albert, I think you have us mistaken... all of these are captive bred tetrataenia we're talking about. Definately no need to harm a wild population that is struggling.

[Boots]

It would be nice if there was more interest in keeping garters in Canada, but most of the interest tends to be with the larger snakes and morphs. I know I would not mind picking up a couple more garters, but I have not seen to many at the shows.

Jason

[Albert Clark]

Albert, I think you have us mistaken... all of these are captive bred tetrataenia we're talking about. Definately no need to harm a wild population that is struggling.

Oh, ok then. Thanks for the clarification. :)

[dakota11]

I hope u all don't mind me asking without starting new thread. But it is a Canada question. Where exactly in Ontario Canada does one find a flame eastern Gardner? Do any of you have any pics?

[Zdravko092368]

Very rarely seen in Ontario, i've only found two worth keeping in about 550 garters and they aren't nearly as good as the ones you can find in Quebec.

[dakota11]

The next time I find some around here I'll get a pic? They are more brightly coloured then the ones I caught as a child in southern ontario

[joeysgreen]

Scott Felzer has captive bred flame gartersnakes and ships to Canada on a semi-regular basis.

Ian

[MafiaM16]

It's too bad that Scott decided not to do a shipment this year or has yet to plan one. I asked him a couple of months ago about it. I would expect to see garter snakes available very shortly though (within the next few years) the number of folks who have been purchasing snakes from him is quite a few. I think another issue is that not a lot folks promote nationwide that they have garter snakes available. I've been noticing that over the last few years.
Anyways, I currently keep an Eastern who has some red on him (surely not considered a flame though). Nothing extreme, but red can defiantly be seen.

[Zdravko092368]

I messaged Scott as well and he said he's not shipping to Canada, but luckily Tommy. T. Radix is and i've organized a shipment coming soon and i'll have a lot of garter snakes available next year for Canadian residents if everything goes as planned.

[Tommytradix]

Wish I had more species that you like but I can't breed em all! Lol

[Forrest Ruler]

Hey guys . I just joined this forum. I actually didn't even know it existed. I am in canada and have had two litters of T. S. Infernalis (California Red Sided Garters)
If anyone is looking. :) I'm in the GTA.

They are screening baby blue parents. Email me if you like.

Thanks

CHRIS

[Forrest Ruler]

Hey Guys

I am in the GTA and just had the pleasure of watching two T.S Infernalis females give birth a couple weeks back.

I wasn't aware of this site until a couple days ago. I will post some pictures of my animals soon.

Thanks

Chris

[Albert Clark]

Welcome Chris, good to see fellow herp enthusiasts joining the garter nation. Looking forward to those pics!

[Zdravko092368]

(http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/#6419196)Hey Chris, welcome to the site, I have you on facebook lol.

[Albert Clark]

Welcome d11, nice to have you on the forum.

[Lisa]

I'm in Canada and have ribbon garter snakes available!