Stefan's garters

[Stefan-A]

I just can't get over the fact that that's their defensive response. :) They're not even coiling up to strike, like my tetra does, for example. They're just curling up and won't move even if you poke them. You have to pick them up before they'll give up the act. :)

[drache]

interesting

[Snake lover 3-25]

is it just me or are they puffed up????? 'cause that's what mine does but he never strikes eather and he only "depuffs" when i pick him up too!!!:D

[Stefan-A]

They fed yesterday and they are a massive species. Somebody here had pictures of an infernalis together with a terrestris the difference is really noticable.

[Stefan-A]

Here's the link:
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/general-talk/2752-i-am-still-around.html#post46445

[anji1971]

Stefan, those are beautiful snakes! Does that picture show their true colouring? I've always thought they were on the brownish side, but here they look grey and silvery. I LOVE it!

[Stefan-A]

Depends on the lighting. :) As soon as it's bit warmer outside, I'm going to take a few photos in proper sunlight.

[anji1971]

So the sun is shining in Finland now? You may have to change your title!;)

[Stefan-A]

Now? No, it's 01:00 right now. :D

[anji1971]

Now? No, it's 01:00 right now. :D

Oh, well yes, that would be wierd!:o I keep forgetting that the world has time zones. I feel when I'm chatting with everyone that they're just around the corner, ready to have dinner soon like me..............ooops!

[Snake lover 3-25]

lol me too it's so strange that it's dark over there......:D

[Stefan-A]

It wouldn't be, if it wasn't for the stupid Earth being round. :mad:


;)

[Snake lover 3-25]

i know STUPID EARTH

[adamanteus]

Round?!! Oh my God....I'm going to fall off!

[Stefan-A]

Round?!! Oh my God....I'm going to fall off!
Nonsense, you're on the upper half. You're not going to fall off.

[Snake lover 3-25]

LOL i think that you would only fall off if it was flat james.....:)

[adamanteus]

Only if I was on the bottom.

[Snake lover 3-25]

i guess your right.... :)

[drache]

this reminds me of a postcard I saw a long time ago that had a picture of the Earth with the North America in the center, and the line was (with arrows) "Russians, being devious, hide their country behind the earth's curvature, while Americans keep their's right out in the open on the flat part"
so, I guess that would have you sort of dangling off the edge, James

[Snake lover 3-25]

LOL GO AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!! i love this country:D

[adamanteus]

I guess that would have you sort of dangling off the edge, James

Story of my life Rhea!:rolleyes:

[drache]

Story of my life Rhea!:rolleyes:
yeah
I noticed that
yours is dangling off the edge and mine is one damn thing after another

[Stefan-A]

yeah
I noticed that
yours is dangling off the edge and mine is one damn thing after another
You're lucky, mine is the same damn thing over and over again.

[drache]

You're lucky, mine is the same damn thing over and over again.
I know, Stefan, and I don't envy you
have you seen the movie Groundhog Day?

[adamanteus]

I know Stefan, and I don't envy you.
Have you ever seen the movie 'Groundhog Day'?

[Stefan-A]

have you seen the movie Groundhog Day?
Unfortunately. Not a huge fan of Bill Murray.



Have you ever seen the movie 'Groundhog Day'?
Best movie ever! :D After Caddyshack.

[Snake lover 3-25]

LOL i LOVE that movie!!!!!!!!!!:D

[Stefan-A]

Enough of this bull****. :D Back to T. e. vagrans. ;)

I wonder if only my snakes behave that way, or if somebody else has noticed that kind of behavior in theirs.

[Snake lover 3-25]

is it just me or are they puffed up????? 'cause that's what mine does but he never strikes eather and he only "depuffs" when i pick him up too!!!:D

MINE do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

[adamanteus]

I read something in the past couple of days, about that behaviour... I think it might have been in the Rossman book. Have you got that book? Should I look it up for you (tomorrow)?

[Stefan-A]

I have the book, but not with me right now.

[adamanteus]

I think there's a section on defensive/escape behaviour. I'll find it in the morning.

[Snake lover 3-25]

your going to bed already?????????? but it's only 10:44pm there right?????

[adamanteus]

It's 10 minutes to midnight here. No, I'm not going to bed yet.:)

[Snake lover 3-25]

ooooo i thaught you were 4 hrs ahead....:D

[Stefan-A]

I think there's a section on defensive/escape behaviour. I'll find it in the morning.
Yeah, I read that one. I think it mostly talked about how often different species use different methods (strikes vs. escapes), how they flee (straight line vs. frequently stopping or changing direction) and how it varies according to the pattern the snakes have. Don't remember much about what it said about T. elegans.

I don't know, I'm tired and my memory isn't 100% right now.

[Snake lover 3-25]

what time is it THERE??????????

[Snake lover 3-25]

man i HATE timezones!!!!!!!!!! STUPID EARTH!!!!!!!!!

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/vagrans24042008outdoor1.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/vagrans24042008outdoor2.jpg

Outdoor photos, sort of. Unedited, beyond cropping and resizing.. The seemed a tiny bit darker in real life, though.

I didn't have the guts to take them out, there are a thousand places they could go in a blink of an eye.




http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/vagrans24042008outdoor2e.jpg
Edited, closer to what I saw. Can't compensate for different monitor settings, though.

[anji1971]

They do look a little more silvery than I'd always thought compared to the earlier pictures you'd put up. Have they changed their colour as they've grown?
I really find myself taken by these snakes all of a sudden.........very handsome critters!

[Stefan-A]

They've changed colours several times. The photos Daniel posted had them looking beige. Like Gijs and Sabine's babies.

When I got them they were very dark brown, but the smaller one was a little darker than the bigger one. The bigger one had a well-defined dorsal stripe and the smaller one didn't.

As they grew, they practically switched. The smaller one has become lighter and has a much more well-defined stripe. The bigger one has become darker and the stripe is no longer as well defined as it was. The difference is easily seen in the pictures where I've shot them from above.

Now, you're probably thinking that I'm getting the two mixed up and that they haven't really changed, but it's pretty hard to do. It's so easy to tell the two apart, because the smaller one has a couple of fused supralabial scales, which you can see in several of my pictures.

But back to the coloration.. They were brown when I got them, but they started becoming grey a few months ago. The bigger one is slightly more brown than the smaller one.

[anji1971]

So basically they are more silvery- grey than they used to be......:D

[Stefan-A]

Yes, that would be correct. :D But not quite silvery grey. ;)

[anji1971]

Well, they've grown up to be extremely attractive snakes. If I ever get to visit Finland, I'm going to snake-nap at least one of them!!;):D;)

[Stefan-A]

Well, they've grown up to be extremely attractive snakes.
Why thank you. :)


If I ever get to visit Finland, I'm going to snake-nap at least one of them!!;):D;)I can't really recommend trying. ;)

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/yes1.jpg

[anji1971]

Why thank you. :)

I can't really recommend trying. ;)

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/yes1.jpg

Well, since you put it that way...........:eek::eek::eek:
Maybe I'll just come pay a friendly visit, if I ever get the chance. Please promise not to shoot me!

[Stefan-A]

Well, since you put it that way...........:eek::eek::eek:
Maybe I'll just come pay a friendly visit, if I ever get the chance. Please promise not to shoot me!
Promise you won't try to snake-nap anything and you're welcome here. :D

[anji1971]

It's a deal;).............not likely in my present financial situation that you'll ever have to worry about it anyway, but I have always wanted to visit your part of the world. A nice Scandinavian cruise is a dream of mine!

[Stefan-A]

Well, I won't be accepting any visitors until I have a proper apartment anyway. :D

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/tetra-17042008-1.jpg

Pooping. Missed the water dish.



http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/tetra-17042008-2.jpg

[adamanteus]

Growing nicely, Stefan.:)

[Stefan-A]

She still looks small, though. The male parietalis was as long as she is now, when I got him, but he was a lot "bigger".

[drache]

coming along very nicely, Stefan

[count dewclaw]

She's looking good, Stefan. Wish we could get those in the USA.

[Zephyr]

Very pretty snakes. I wonder how many there are in captivity...

[anji1971]

Apparently it is legal to keep them in Canada, but the prices are astronomical..........I've read that they're about $800.00 each!:eek:

[Zephyr]

Apparently it is legal to keep them in Canada, but the prices are astronomical..........I've read that they're about $800.00 each!:eek:Ouch. Well, if you were to breed them, you'd be a millionaire. XD

[anji1971]

Yes, but I need someone to donate the breeding pair for me to start!!!:D

[Zephyr]

I'm sure James would help. :P
On second thought, maybe not. XD

[Stefan-A]

So, the impossible has just happened; They both refused to eat and neither is about to shed. I suspect it has been getting a bit too warm in there these last couple of days.

Nothing wrong with the tetra's appetite, she just took her first 2 week old mouse.

[Stefan-A]

Took a couple more pictures today. Not the best idea to take photos through plastic, but I don't feel like taking any chances. :)

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/vagrans29042008-sunlight1.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/vagrans29042008-sunlight2.jpg

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/tetrataenia29042008-sunlight1.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/tetrataenia29042008-sunlight2.jpg

[Stefan-A]

This is where I'll be posting pictures of all my garters from now on. :)

[anji1971]

They're looking great! I'm still wanting a vagrans.........wonder if anyone in Canada has them?

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

omg!!! you cut the san fran's head off!!!!

[Stefan-A]

omg!!! you cut the san fran's head off!!!!http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/tetrataenia28042008-4.jpg

[Gijs & Sabine]

Very nice pics, Stefan :)
I like your tetra a lot.

[Thamnophis]

Looking good!

[Lori P]

omg!!! you cut the san fran's head off!!!!

ROFL-- I had to go back and see what you meant. Too funny!!

Great snakes, Stefan... just beautiful!!!!:)

[Stefan-A]

Thanks. :)

The vagrans twins are definitely off feed. Both of them. They even refused worms.

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/vagrans02052008-1.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/vagrans02052008-2.jpg

[adamanteus]

Wow!


(infill text)

[Lori P]

Wow, indeed. Fantastic pics, Stefan!!!

[Stefan-A]

Thanks. :)

Here's the other one. Today's lesson: it's best not to take pictures in full sunlight. :D

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/vagrans02052008-3.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/vagrans02052008-4.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/vagrans02052008-5.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/vagrans02052008-6.jpg

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/vagrans02052008-7.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/vagrans02052008-8.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/vagrans02052008-9.jpg

[anji1971]

Oh, I SO love this snake...........awesome pics!:cool:

[Snaky]

Those are some great pictures!

[ssssnakeluvr]

Nice gray vagrans!!!!! now that I have some sun without snow I should snap some photos of the ones I just got!!

[adamanteus]

Today's lesson: it's best not to take pictures in full sunlight. :D

Not likely to be a problem for me!:mad:

[Stefan-A]

Note that the vagrans in the second series of pictures is more brown than grey. It's not even because the difference in lighting. And they look a bit funny with the eyes so close to the nose. :)

James, cheer up. :)

[Stefan-A]

Aw, ****. Took this picture about a week ago, didn't notice anything weird then.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/charliefoxtrot.jpg

The mouth isn't supposed to look like that, is it? It looks worse in that picture than in the ones I took today, but I can see it in real life as well now that I know to look for it.

[adamanteus]

Is she eating okay, Stefan?

[ssssnakeluvr]

not unusual...have had mine do that occasionally.

[Stefan-A]

No, but they both went off feed at the same time, didn't think much of it. I'm sure that she's eaten after that appeared in the photos.

They've had paper towel substrate for the past two months or so, I don't believe it's because of substrate getting stuck. Broken tooth maybe, I think she hit the tweezers some time ago.


edit: I posted a picture of them on the 24th, I can see it in that photo.

[Stefan-A]

not unusual...have had mine do that occasionally.
Understood, but this doesn't seem to go away.


edit: The first picture where I can see it in, was taken on April 10. It has definitely eaten after that.

[ssssnakeluvr]

here's a few quick photos before I head to work.....vagrans of course!

my gray female with no stripes

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//504/female_2.jpg

young male I have had for 2 years

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//504/young_male.jpg

another recently acquired male....slightly out of focus....

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//504/male_1.jpg

[ssssnakeluvr]

here's "Stripe", my male hypermelanistic....

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//504/stripe_1.jpg

and my orange male....a little out of focus also, and he's getting ready toshed so the orange didn't come out as bright.... :(

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//504/orange.jpg

[adamanteus]

No, but they both went off feed at the same time, didn't think much of it. I'm sure that she's eaten after that appeared in the photos.

Is it the same snake that has the fused scales? It could just be a minor deformity. Hitting the tweezers could damage teeth of course, but surely that would have healed by now. If there's no sign of 'mouth-rot' I wouldn't worry, Stefan.

[ssssnakeluvr]

Is it the same snake that has the fused scales? It could just be a minor deformity. Hitting the tweezers could damage teeth of course, but surely that would have healed by now. If there's no sign of 'mouth-rot' I wouldn't worry, Stefan.

what he said.... should be alright!

[Stefan-A]

Is it the same snake that has the fused scales? It could just be a minor deformity. Hitting the tweezers could damage teeth of course, but surely that would have healed by now. If there's no sign of 'mouth-rot' I wouldn't worry, Stefan.
No, it's the other one and it's a new thing. Definitely didn't look like this a month ago.

I sort of took this as a sign of mouth rot. I tried gently to get it to open its mouth, but it wouldn't cooperate.

[adamanteus]

If it was mouth rot, you'd see it pretty quickly....inflamed gums, minor bleeding, fasting.

[Stefan-A]

I don't see any gums, haven't even seen it yawn. Can't see any bleeding but it is fasting, although I have been taking that as a seasonal thing since they both started and as the temperature is higher than usual.

[Stefan-A]

Okay, they're not fasting anymore. :D

Managed to have a look inside the mouth of the one with the messed up jaw, while it was eating. The inside of the mouth is a healthy pink with no discoloration. No wounds.

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/tetra04052008.jpg

I'm really starting to like the paper pellet substrate. May not be the most natural looking material, but it's okay. I assume it's practically the same stuff as carefresh, only pressed to pellets.

Don, I completely forgot to comment on your snakes. :) They look great, especially that first stripeless one. :)

[ssssnakeluvr]

thanks!! she is a neat one...hopefully she bred this year...not looking like it yet tho....:( she was found here in the Salt Lake valley...they have quite a variety pf patterns here....

[anji1971]

Stefan, good to hear they're eating again, and that the one you were concerned about seems fine. We certainly don't need any more sick snake worries around here!

[Stefan-A]

A couple of photos I rejected earlier.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/vagrans-rejectedoutdoors1.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/vagrans-rejectedoutdoors2.jpg

[Snake lover 3-25]

wow nice snake!!! i like his grey LOL:D

[Stefan-A]

Her grey. :) All my snakes are females.

[adamanteus]

I really hope that when I get my vagrans this year they have that kind of colouration. They are so much more attractive than the brown ones.

[adamanteus]

Her grey. :) All my snakes are females.

With me it's the other way..... I seem to have a surplus of males... all my 1.2s turned out to be 2.1s and all my pairs seem to be 2.0

My 3.4 radix group is actually 5.2!!!

Anyone want to do swaps?:D

[Stefan-A]

That one has exactly the coloration I was hoping for. I was actually a little disappointed at first, before they started turning grey. The other one is a little more brown as you might see in this photo, for example:


http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/vagrans02052008-8.jpg

From the tiny pictures I have, it seems that the father was grey and the mom brownish.

[adamanteus]

Of all the vagrans pics I've seen, yours are the prettiest by far. I hope I'm not disappointed.

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/vagransmomndad1.jpg

These should be the parents, if I'm right.

[adamanteus]

It must be the combination of the two that makes yours so good looking!
I wouldn't rave about either of the parents, but yours are lovely.

[Stefan-A]

Thank you, James. :) I still think they have funny shaped heads, though. :D At least the bigger one.

[Snake lover 3-25]

lol SHE does!!!!! i have 2 males and a big lazy mama......:D

[ssssnakeluvr]

hmmm....I have about 15 vagrans right now........:rolleyes:

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-05-16-biggrrl.jpg

222 grams.



(Old picture.)

[reptileparadise]

Very nice :)

[Stefan-A]

Thanks. :)

She has increased in weight by about 70% since December and about 24% (IIRC) in the last 2 months. :)

[reptileparadise]

Awesome! 70 % thats about...uhm...150 grams! That makes her...372 grams??? Thats a big girl then! Do you thinks she's gravid?

[Stefan-A]

Awesome! 70 % thats about...uhm...150 grams!
No, that's 90 grams. :D 132 grams when she went into hibernation, 222 grams now.
Note, my math sucks, but I think I'm right this time.


I don't know if she's gravid, I hope that she is, but I haven't seen anything conclusive signs that she would be.

[reptileparadise]

ow...like that! I thought she weighed 222 when the 'old picture' was taken :D

You sure you're math sucks? I thought you where an engineer!

[Stefan-A]

You sure you're math sucks? I thought you where an engineer!
I am an engineer, but I was never good at math. :) Maybe I'm above average now, thanks to several repeated math courses. ;)

Isn't that a scary thought, though? An engineer with bad math skills. :D

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

so do you think shes gravid?

[Stefan-A]

I don't have any reason to assume that she is. If she is, she's definitely hiding it well. I'm not convinced that the weight increase is drastic enough to be taken as any kind of sign.

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-06-08.jpg

Getting bigger..

[Snake lover 3-25]

awwwwwwwwww what kind is that again??????:D:D:D:D

[Stefan-A]

Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia, aka San Francisco garter snake.

[Snake lover 3-25]

that's what i thaught!!!!!! i'm getting good at this!!!!!!!:D:D:D:D i LOVE the combo of red + teal!!!!!!!!!!!:D:D

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

Thanks. :)

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/extra/squeezy1.jpg

The stuff that gives them red poo.. :D

Is that salmon? Your vagrans are awesome. Do you know what locality the CB stock is from? Your San Francisco is incredible as well. Too bad we Californians can't keep them!

Steven

[Stefan-A]

Thanks. :)

That's rainbow trout. :) All I know is that the mother was WC and the father came from Scott Felzer.

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/bigvagrans22-06-2008-2.jpg

The bigger one of the two, 61 cm and soon about to shed.

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/smallvagrans22-06-2008-2.jpg

The smaller one, 56 cm and hasn't eaten for a month.

[adamanteus]

They're growing fast, Stefan. Lovely snakes.:)

[Stefan-A]

Not that fast. The bigger one has grown 4.5 cm in over two months, the smaller one just 1.5 cm. Although you can't trust Snakemeasurer to be that accurate, it's still a huge difference.

[Gijs & Sabine]

Although you can't trust Snakemeasurer to be that accurate, it's still a huge difference.

Wait till you see the male together with them :D

[Garter_Gertie]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/vagrans-a1.jpg

They grow up so fast.

I would love to have a copy of this photo. It is beautiful art. I want the snake, too! :)

[ssssnakeluvr]

I have wanderings if you are interested....:cool:

[Stefan-A]

Wait till you see the male together with them :D
I meant the difference in growth rates. :) But I wouldn't dare put the male anywhere near them. :D Not for at least a year or two and no longer than necessary, if the size difference between males and females is as significant in vagrans as it is in T. sirtalis parietalis.

[Stefan-A]

I would love to have a copy of this photo. It is beautiful art. I want the snake, too! :)
I'll get you a copy. :)

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

Man Stefan, you reallllly good at taking photos

[Stefan-A]

Thanks. :)

[Stefan-A]

Almost back to normal..

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/doubleplusungood/vagransmouth-2008-06-29-1.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/doubleplusungood/vagransmouth-2008-06-29-2.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/doubleplusungood/vagransmouth-2008-06-29-3.jpg


I would love to have a copy of this photo. It is beautiful art. I want the snake, too! :)
Here it is. (http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/bigpic.jpg)

[Stefan-A]

Took another set of photos outdoors.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-07-02-oudoors1.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-07-02-oudoors2.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-07-02-oudoors3.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-07-02-oudoors4.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-07-02-oudoors5.jpg

[Snaky]

Great pictures :)

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-07-02-closeoudoors1.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-07-02-closeoudoors2.jpg

[Snake lover 3-25]

very cool snake!!!:D

[adamanteus]

Excellent shots, Stefan... as always.

[anji1971]

Nice..............
I still want that snake!:D

[Lori P]

Stefan, those pics are AMAZING.

[Stefan-A]

Thanks, all of you. :)

Anji, you can't have it. :p

[Gijs & Sabine]

Wow, Stefan :eek: those pictures are amazing !!
They make the wanderings even more beautifull then what they already are!!

[Stefan-A]

Thanks. I'd really like to do the same with my tetrataenia and especially my parietalis, but the tetra would disappear in a heartbeat and I've never really handled the parietalis and she has never cooperated when I've tried. And she's getting big enough to give you a proper bite. ;)

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-07-16-01.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-07-16-02.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-07-16-03.jpg

And in other news, I've just weighed the vagrans twins. The bigger one is up to 98 grams and the smaller 73 grams.

[reptileparadise]

Awesome! Love the outdoor shots. Brings out the grey perfectly!

[GartersRock]

*moans* Ahahahahah..... I want tetra.... Uhhhhhhh.....

[Elliot]

*moans* Ahahahahah..... I want tetra.... Uhhhhhhh.....

You can always get infernalis. :)

[GartersRock]

Yeah... Not quite the same... They don't have that neon velvet look. And the pattern is a bit different. But I will still be getting some infernalis. They are close. But not quite there. ;)

[Snake lover 3-25]

very nice stefan!!!!:D

[crzy_kevo]

omg that snake is amazing blue and red i must have it

[anji1971]

That tetra is getting prettier all the time! And the vagrans...............well, I think I may have mentioned how much I like the vagrans!;)

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-07-16-04.jpg

[Elliot]

How old is your tetra Stefan?

[Stefan-A]

I don't know, 13-14 months, maybe.

[Elliot]

Ok, just wondering. It apperas that my maritime is growing woefully slowly. :(

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-07-17-01.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-07-17-02.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-07-17-03.jpg


http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-07-17-04.jpg

[Snake lover 3-25]

very nice pics and snakes!!!!!

[jitami]

damn, she is gorgeous Stefan!

(kinda cute... especially with those cute purple flowers in the background)

[JSI]

That last headshot is great!!

Jeremy

[Lori P]

Stefan, I just loooooooove those pics. So nice. :-)

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

Those pictures are awesome! Love the maritime!

Steve

[Stefan-A]

Those pictures are awesome! Love the maritime!

Steve
I wish I had one. :D

[infernalis]

damn, she is gorgeous Stefan!

(kinda cute... especially with those cute purple flowers in the background)

What She said.....

[jitami]

What She said.....

He's thoroughly ignoring us Wayne. :p

[Lori P]

It's so cute when Stefan ignores us....:D

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-08-07/2008-08-07-1.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-08-07/2008-08-07-2.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-08-07/2008-08-07-3.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-08-07/2008-08-07-4.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-08-07/2008-08-07-5.jpg

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-08-07/2008-08-07-6.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-08-07/2008-08-07-7.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-08-07/2008-08-07-8.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-08-07/2008-08-07-9.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/2008-08-07/2008-08-07-91.jpg

[crzy_kevo]

very nice pics as usual stefan you are so lucky to have tetrataenia how much did they cost you if you don't mind my asking?

[Stefan-A]

Thanks. :D

100€ for the tetrataenia and 45€ each for the vagrans. I know some members here sell both a lot cheaper, but I didn't see anybody else here with vagrans babies for sale last year and I wasn't planning to get a tetra, but I decided to seize the opportunity when the owner wanted to sell it.

[crzy_kevo]

ya it would cost me $1600 to get one here from blais

[jitami]

Very nice Stefan! I really love them both!

[Stefan-A]

A pretty random comment, I didn't find any proper thread to put this in, but Rose fish (Sebastes marinus) was a success. It's on the list of species that don't contain thiaminase.

[jitami]

Can you catch those locally Stefan?

[Stefan-A]

Can you catch those locally Stefan?
No, but they can be found in the frozen food section of almost every supermarket here.

But you still need to add calcium.

[infernalis]

He's thoroughly ignoring us Wayne. :p


I'd wager not.....

After a while anyone burns out trying to answer every single comment that crosses the board.......

[Stefan-A]

Not quite. I just didn't realise that people were actually expecting a response to those cutesy comments.

[jitami]

Nah, no comment expected.... just poking a little fun :)

[Stefan-A]

just poking a little fun :)
Of course. :)

[infernalis]

If I remember correctly, that was the post where I made the word "Cute" boldface:D

[jitami]

The new signature line isn't as much fun to tease about only because it's so very true :rolleyes: Which reminds me... everything still going well with the pick up & transport of your new snakes?

[Stefan-A]

The new signature line isn't as much fun to tease about only because it's so very true :rolleyes:
It'll be changed soon enough. ;)


Which reminds me... everything still going well with the pick up & transport of your new snakes?
At the moment everything seems to be under control.

[jitami]

At the moment everything seems to be under control.

Glad to hear it :) Can't wait to see that stupid cat dancing in your post :D

[Stefan-A]

Can't wait to see that stupid cat dancing in your post :D
I'm already working on an animation to counter that stupid cat, which won't be dancing in any of my posts. Ever. :D

I also have a couple of pictures that would do the job, but they might upset a lot of people.

[infernalis]

Is it a coincidence that he has never appeared on any of your posts?

[Stefan-A]

Is it a coincidence that he has never appeared on any of your posts?
Did you make it? :D

[infernalis]

Actually you had stated once that you did not care for kitty so kitty has been good and stayed away:cool:

[jitami]

Actually you had stated once that you did not care for kitty so kitty has been good and stayed away:cool:

Well what fun is that? :p

Btw, Stefan, the new signature line is pretty cute :D

[Stefan-A]

Actually you had stated once that you did not care for kitty so kitty has been good and stayed away:cool:
You wouldn't happen to remember when and where I made that statement?

[infernalis]

When you first mentioned about your new snakes getting picked up for you, before it went sour... I can't remember exactly what thread it was, you had mentioned getting new snakes and commented on the cat.

One of the ladies had asked where the kitty was...

My momory is fairly good, just not quite perfect:D

[Stefan-A]

When you first mentioned about your new snakes getting picked up for you, before it went sour... I can't remember exactly what thread it was, you had mentioned getting new snakes and commented on the cat.

One of the ladies had asked where the kitty was...

My momory is fairly good, just not quite perfect:D

This all I found:


There will be no happy dance.

[infernalis]

Correct, and now that I just re-read it I see it had nothing to do with kitty and everything to do with not having your snakes yet.

My bad...

When I first found that totally weird cat dancing (Google image search "Happy Dance") Someone had mentioned "Happy Dance" so I put him up there.

So far it has made at least a couple people smile:D

I'd have rather found a dancing snake.......

Still have not found one, guess one day I need to just create one from scratch.

Stefan, What's funny here is that I spent a bunch of time following your posts trying to find the same thing...

He who has the record number of posts has only started minimal threads, and only had 2 welcome greetings back in 06 when you joined.

I'd wager if you were to say "goodbye" at this point, you would get more than 2 responses to that:D

[Stefan-A]

Stefan, What's funny here is that I spent a bunch of time following your posts trying to find the same thing...

He who has the record number of posts has only started minimal threads, and only had 2 welcome greetings back in 06 when you joined.
We were fewer back then and those that were here, weren't really interested in chatting.


I'd wager if you were to say "goodbye" at this point,It has crossed my mind a few times to do a phased withdrawal, but there would be no goodbyes and no going out with a bang.


you would get more than 2 responses to that:DAll three of which would hopefully contain the phrase "Don't let the door hit you in the *** on your way out."

[GartersRock]

SO NOT TRUE STEFAN!!! We would be very sad..... :(

[Lori P]

So true Stefan! Never leave us. I know how much you disdain the mushy stuff but, gee, I'm awfully fond of ya and still aim to someday HUG you as you struggle wildy to get away. :D

[anji1971]

.... I know how much you disdain the mushy stuff but, gee, I'm awfully fond of ya and still aim to someday HUG you as you struggle wildy to get away. :D

Now, that, I'd pay good money to witness.:D

[ssssnakeluvr]

My momory is fairly good, just not quite perfect:D

I have a photographic memory.......I just forgot where I put the film.....:cool:

[infernalis]

I have a photographic memory.......I just forgot where I put the film.....:cool:

I can tell you things I did 40 years ago in great detail, just don't ask what I had for breakfast this morning, I forget:eek:

[GartersRock]

So true Stefan! Never leave us. I know how much you disdain the mushy stuff but, gee, I'm awfully fond of ya and still aim to someday HUG you as you struggle wildy to get away. :D

HAHAHAHA!!! What an awesome visual!! :p

[Lori P]

Remember the skunk cartoon? Pepi Lepew right? Picture him hugging the black and white cat while she struggles wildly to get away... lol!!!

[Stefan-A]

I remember the pencil trick from The Dark Knight. :rolleyes:

[GartersRock]

HAHAHAHA!!! The pencil trick... :D "Taada! It's... It's gone." :D

[Garter_Gertie]

LORI, YOU'RE KILLIN' ME!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bend him over backwards! Plant those kisses all over his face! Have the little hearts bubbling up over your heads!

Stefan's face is getting redder and redder! His eyes are getting more round and bulging! His widdo kitty back feets are scrambling for a hold!

"Je'embrasse mon Stefan-chat sur la bouche!"

[GartersRock]

HAHAHAHAA!!!!! Rofl! OMG Gertie!! :D

[Lori P]

YouTube - I'll never find another you - The Seekers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi7CREzSx-k&feature=related) :D

[Stefan-A]

Okay, who didn't see this coming? :rolleyes:

The photos are in the order I took them.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/hamm08/nya-01.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/hamm08/nya-02.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/hamm08/nya-03.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/hamm08/nya-04.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/hamm08/nya-05.jpg

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/hamm08/nya-06.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/hamm08/nya-07.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/hamm08/nya-08.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/hamm08/nya-09.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/hamm08/nya-10.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/hamm08/nya-11.jpg

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/hamm08/nya-12.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/hamm08/nya-13.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/hamm08/nya-14.jpg

It's a really nice vagrans Gijs & Sabine sent me. :) Didn't protest much.

I expected the viperine snakes to be a lot bigger. The vagrans I got last year were huge compared to them.

[jitami]

Ah, another gorgeous vagrans! The other two have such interesting facial markings! Very nice Stephan! Congratulations :)

[Gijs & Sabine]

I'm glad you like the male, Stefan :)
I hope your ladies will like him.

[Stefan-A]

I'm glad you like the male, Stefan :)
I hope your ladies will like him.
I'm sure they will. :)

I just gave him a pinky. He was pretty enthusiastic about it. ;)

[anji1971]

Congratulations!
They do have some really nice facial markings. I like.;)

[drache]

congrats, Stefan
very nice boy
the snakes with the beautiful facial markings are vagrans??
the don't look like garters
am I missing something?

[infernalis]

congrats, Stefan
very nice boy
the snakes with the beautiful facial markings are vagrans??
the don't look like garters
am I missing something?


Here is what you may have missed....


I expected the viperine snakes to be a lot bigger.

[drache]

ahhh
okay
I'll probably find what they are, if I back-track a bit

[Stefan-A]

ahhh
okay
I'll probably find what they are, if I back-track a bit
Natrix maura. It is roughly the equivalent of North American water snakes, only smaller and a lot less feisty. Like your water snakes, this little water snake also mimics venomous snakes. Nerodias mimic Agkistrodon, if I remember correctly, and Natrix maura mimics Vipera.

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/hamm08/mauravsberus1.jpg

[drache]

very nice
I'd never seen any
the natrix I grew up with was mostly mud coloured

[anji1971]

So they are the natrix! I was confused by the talk of the vagrans in the midst of all that, and I was wondering why they looked so unusual for garters.
Guess you managed to work out all the bugs in getting them. Good to hear!

[Stefan-A]

Guess you managed to work out all the bugs in getting them. Good to hear!
Yeah, for a few days in August, there was a bit of a panic.

At least one of the Natrix as well as the vagrans have eaten so far. I was "warned" that most of the N. maura in this clutch were eating dead food.

[Stefan-A]

Well, they've all eaten at least once now, so that's a relief. :)

[infernalis]

Cool. Those Natrix are handsome, one day...

[Stefan-A]

But they're so damn tiny. :D It's going to be a little tricky to get enough calcium into them.

Meaning that it has to be added.

[Loren]

Those Natrix are really cool looking, Stefan. Dont get to see them over here.

[infernalis]

But they're so damn tiny. :D It's going to be a little tricky to get enough calcium into them.

Meaning that it has to be added.


Nothing wrong with that, now that I switched all but the fussiest of the babies to "sushi" I sprinkle calcium powder on the fish about every other feeding.

The deaths scared me enough that I will not buy feeder fish from stores anymore, so far all the babies but 4 will eat Tilapia and Salmon just fine.

We netted a bunch of minnows from that pristine creek out back, Impressive in as much as there has never been a dead fish floating in the tank yet. (store bought feeders I'd have to skim off dead ones every day!)

[Stefan-A]

Due to local legislation, the fish have to be dead, or I can't use them. I just need fish that are small enough and there aren't any like that in the wild this time of year.

Can't buy feeders either. No market for them.

[Snake lover 3-25]

awwww so cute!!!!:D

[jitami]

Due to local legislation, the fish have to be dead, or I can't use them.

Well, where's the fun in that? :p

Stefan, what were they eating before you got them?

[Stefan-A]

Guppies and salmon/trout. Most of the snakes had been converted to eat dead fish a week or so before.

[jitami]

That's not so bad then. A little dusting... you could roll very thin slices of fillet around the vit powder, but probably not necessary :)

[Stefan-A]

The problem should be solved, I went out and got some of that good old TerraVit Fluid. It's multivitamin + calcium lactate, you can put it in the water or directly on the food.

Funny enough, the Natrix maura are supposed to be water snakes, but I've only seen one of them swim (once). The male vagrans on the other hand spends a lot of time in the water dish. I have to get him a bigger one.

I got the guy/gal below to hiss at me a couple of times while I was cleaning the enclosure. :D Coming from such a tiny snake, it sounded like a protracted sniff rather than a proper hiss. And considering its size, it must have been putting everything it had into that hiss.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/sniffles1.jpg

[infernalis]

Damn that is so cool, none of my snakes hiss.....

Oddly Stefan my Nerodia spends less time in the water than most of my Garters. and they are called water snakes also??

[Stefan-A]

It is cool. :D I've never heard a garter make any kind of noise. Neither hissing nor rattling. ;)

Edit: Yay, 5555 posts.

[jitami]

Cool post count :)

I don't know if the same holds true for your water babies, and I know you can't feed live, but my garter babies never went in their dish until this week. They would take a drink, but actually seemed to avoid getting wet. My husband even commented about how the babies really didn't like the water. I gave them live fish this week and now they constantly lounge in and on the dish waiting for fish to appear :) Before this week they've only had pre-killed food items. It made me wonder if most of the garters who spend time in the water have been conditioned to do so?

[Stefan-A]

We'll have to ask Gijs & Sabine about that. It's their vagrans. :) None of my other garter snakes have been fed live fish, at least not in my care, and none of them are very interested in using the water dish for anything other than drinking.

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/sep08-small.jpg
62.5 cm



http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/sep08-big.jpg
69.5 cm

I think they're both getting ready for brumation. I already arranged my snakes according to species, in case I decide to give these two a fake brumation. These two have their own enclosure now and the tetrataenia shares one with the parietalis.

[Stefan-A]

That same damn maura hissed at me,musked me and did several mock strikes when I cleaned their enclosure a few minutes ago. :D It was really upset.

[Garter_Gertie]

What a pudgy, happy fat little snake! So cute!

[Lori P]

I really, really like your new ones, Stefan!! Hisses, strikes and all!

[jitami]

The vagrans are gorgeous Stefan! I can't wait to see the young they produce!

[Stefan-A]

Yeah, the viperine snakes are so much fun with their little protests. :D

The new vagrans is still pretty skittish, though. He hasn't been aggressive in any way (yet), but doesn't curl up like the females do, either. Definitely a runner.

[Stefan-A]

The vagrans are gorgeous Stefan! I can't wait to see the young they produce!
I'm looking forward to it, myself. We'll see in a year and a half. ;)

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakesies08/hamm08/nuvagrans.jpg

[jitami]

Sooo pretty :) Good job catching that tongue flick, too :)

[Stefan-A]

Yeah, he's a lot of fun, too. :) Fairly skittish, but he takes his mousing pretty seriously. ;)

YouTube - Short and Brutal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alOwuUH2H_0)

[jitami]

LOL! Nice! :D Love how he won't let you come near "HIS" mouse after he's got it...

[Stefan-A]

I was just going to grab the mouse to see if he would try to constrict it. :D It used to work on the corn I had.

[infernalis]

I just gave my corn his first thawed mouse in 8 months, and if I tug back on the mouse, he goes into his death roll and squeezes down.

[Lori P]

LOL He was not letting you near his supper! What a cool little guy. :-)