New snake owner

[beaniesmommy]

Ok, so my husband was up camping in western Washington and he decided it would be a good idea and bring a garter snake home to feed to our Pacman frog. I have told him so many times do not bring things home that are cute and show them to my daughter, who is a replica of Bindi Erwin. Both her and I completely protested and we now have the coolest, sweetest and best pet yet. We are so excited to have a snake! We went out and bought everything we think we need and so far she seems to be thriving in her new home. We call her a girl but really we don't know what she is. I was happy to find this site and I am hoping that I can pick your brains to help us make sure we give our new family member (Tilly short for Matilda) a great life. She has a twenty gallon tank with a reptile heating pad, basking light, a log to hide under, a large bowl of non-chlorinated spring water, sticks to climb on, snake bedding and large rock to chill on. Any other ideas? She didn't like mealworms or earthworms. I did get her to eat a fish but I am a little confused by the thiamine-deficiency. She is olive green with three yellow stripes, one really yellow down the middle and two lighter on each side. She is about two feet long and is pretty thin. I think that is everything I can think of... Some feeding ideas would help and I would like to know what kind of Garter snake she is. Thank you ahead of time for your replys.

[adamanteus]

Here's a good start.....
http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Garter_Snake_Care_Sheet

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard. :)

Have a look at our photographic library.
http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Photographic_Library

[gregmonsta]

Welcome .... and .... be warned .... WE WANT PICS!!! :D

[drache]

welcome to the forum
it sounds like you've got all the basics covered quite nicely
what kind of fish did Tilly take? was is a live one?
it's a real good sign she ate so soon
try trout or salmon strips
they won't eat mealworms or anything else with an exoskeleton
and while they're supposed to all love earthworms, I myself find that only a few of mine will take them
congratulations - Tilly sound like a beauty

[Zephyr]

Hmm... No interest in worms... Three stripes, very skinny...
I'm going to say she's a ribbon snake. Possibly Thamnophis proximus orarius, but I do not know their range.

[andyoconnor83]

technically there are not supposed to be any ribbon snakes here, although i know of a locale where I have found some in the past. a picture would help us identify it for you and let you know what prey it might like best!

Also I am not lecturing by any means because I don't like it and don't think it should apply to such common animals as tree frogs and garter snakes, but Washington has a strict no collection of wild reptiles law that your husband broke. I doubt that their are any Washington state dept. of F&G lurking on these boards, but they are on some websites and you never know. I think it's a stupid rule and at the least we should model after California and have licenses to collect reptiles. I find it hard to believe that a game warden could have busted me when I was 6 and stuffing 5 gallon buckets full of snakes and frogs, but it is the law.

please post some pictures of your new pet!

[beaniesmommy]

Thank you for you help! I tried to use Photobucket to post some pictures. I am not sure if this works maybe someone else hase a better site to use.

I went and took these pictures and I am not concerned... Her eyes are foggy? I hope she is OK. The fish she ate was a guppy. I will get her some trout peices today, that was actually what my husband was doing when he was camping so he brough home a ton of trout. I had no idea about the law in Washington. We also used to catch them when we we kids. Wow we were bad. :)

Let me know what you think.
Andrea



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[jeanette]

hello and welcome :)

[Lori P]

She's very pretty!! The care sheets are a great place to start but then ask away with any other questions. :-)

[jeanette]

oh and the foggy eyes means shes probably going to shed :)

[Stefan-A]

Nice wandering garter (Thamnophis elegans vagrans), Andrea. Yes, he or she is about to shed. :)

[Sid]

Very nice specimen, Andrea and welcome to the forum.

[enigma200316]

Hello and welcome to this awsome forum..............:D

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, Beaniesmommy :)

[Jenlang_79]

Hello there!! I am new too...so welcome from another newbie!!...lol!! I have only been on here for like a week and I already love it!! BTW you have a beauty there (your snake). If your still wanting a place to upload pics I use Picasa Web..it is free and it works for me....can't get the pics right on message though which kinda sucks but you can post a link to it!! ( and I bet there is a way to post the pics...I just have not figured it out yet!!):D