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View Full Version : Completing the trifecta



AntTheDestroyer
05-25-2015, 09:41 PM
Hello everyone,

I recently decided to add a third snake to my collection. At first I was convinced it should be a trans-pecos rat snake. My search began to locate one. As luck would have it they were not so easy to find, which turned out to be a blessing. As I already have a Imperial pueblan and a corn snake, I began to realize that maybe getting another crepuscular/nocturnal species was not ideal. I also was thinking about putting together a plant terrarium, but I began to read up on living vivariums. I was pretty quickly sold on the idea due to the fact that I could set up a mini ecosystem in my own office.

Researching a diurnal species that does well in naturalistic vivarium of course garter snakes were bound to be stumbled upon. Then I saw a California red-sided garter snake and was blown away. Honestly I figured as beautiful as these creatures are that they would be well out of my price range, but I began to look for breeders. Someone pointed me to Jeff Benfer, which I am grateful for. Jeff was very responsive and helpful with all of my questions. Not to mention he gave me a very fair price for a baby male, so I became a garter snake owner.

I remember catching what I can only now assume was western terrestrial garter snakes at a pond near my home in the mountains of Colorado. My friend had a whole collection of these snake, but unfortunately my mom would not let snakes in her home. It is funny how circular things are sometimes. Well as the fiancé always bust my chops about naming all of our animals, I let her name this one. Without further ado here is Draco.

Dan72
05-26-2015, 03:13 AM
Welcome! Jeff is great and that snake is awesome.

Albert Clark
05-26-2015, 10:38 AM
Great selection and great person to deal with in Jeff. One of the best morph's to have in your possession. Good to have you join us and best wishes.

AntTheDestroyer
05-26-2015, 02:31 PM
Thanks guys. I am super excited about him, he is very curious. To be honest I can't wait till he bigger so I don't have to worry about him so much.

joeysgreen
05-27-2015, 11:07 AM
That's a beautiful snake, and welcome to the forums :)

d_virginiana
05-27-2015, 05:22 PM
Cute snake. He won't be your only garter for very long lol.

AntTheDestroyer
05-27-2015, 06:58 PM
Thank you guys. I figured if I started at the top it might fight my need for more, but who can say.

Zdravko092368
05-28-2015, 05:41 PM
Congrats on the Infernalis, i'm getting two myself soon and really looking forward to it. They are awesome snakes and hard to beat in the looks department.

d_virginiana
05-28-2015, 06:46 PM
Thank you guys. I figured if I started at the top it might fight my need for more, but who can say.

As long as all are the same sex and similar size, different species (except T. vagrans) can be housed together without problem. I've found that males especially benefit and calm down a lot if they have a buddy!

AntTheDestroyer
06-03-2015, 08:04 PM
Interesting so I could get an anery plains to hang out with him?

d_virginiana
06-03-2015, 09:46 PM
Interesting so I could get an anery plains to hang out with him?

As long as it's the same sex, yes.

AntTheDestroyer
08-10-2015, 09:12 PM
Xiuhcoatl was calm for a few seconds today so I snapped some updated pictures. His blues are really starting to come in.

Albert Clark
08-11-2015, 07:05 AM
Ant, he really is a great specimen. Congrats.

Dan72
08-11-2015, 11:03 AM
Looking good! I just read thru all this again, I didn't pay much attention to it the first time because I wasn't in to them. But lately I have been looking into Imperial Pueblans. Can I see pics of yours somewhere & who did you purchase from? Does it do okay for you? Thanks.

AntTheDestroyer
08-11-2015, 12:30 PM
Ant, he really is a great specimen. Congrats.
Thank you.


Looking good! I just read thru all this again, I didn't pay much attention to it the first time because I wasn't in to them. But lately I have been looking into Imperial Pueblans. Can I see pics of yours somewhere & who did you purchase from? Does it do okay for you? Thanks.
I got him from Clayton Carlile at Mesozoic reptiles. The transaction went smoothly as can be and the snake is beautiful. Clayton was incredibly helpful He acts like your typical pueblan milk snake really. As a baby he is quite jumpy and will most definitely musk, but he seems to be calming down a bit. No feeding or health issues at all.

Dan72
08-11-2015, 01:34 PM
Very nice! Love it.

Albert Clark
08-12-2015, 09:56 AM
Mesozoic has nothing but quality animals and they do selective breeding. I am familiar with their animals. Congrats.