New to Snakes in General

[pittylova]

Hey everybody! I tend to be very new to snakes. We had one ribbon snake when I was a kid and that was because my grandfather caught it for me and my mom couldn't say no :-). I've been thinking about getting one as I've been interested in them for some time now. I was going to wait until I finished my vivarium for my anoles before getting one so the snake could just go in their big tank they have now.

However, while I was out bug hunting today for the anoles and fire-bellied toads I came across this little snake. It is probably only 6 inches long. It is quite aggressive compared to the other snakes I've come across (except for this one hog nose that we found in the wood pile). It struck at me several times without me even going near it. I've been looking at this guy trying to figure out exactly what it is. I'm guessing chances are it's a type of garter. I'm just unsure because every garter I've seen around here, adult, baby, and juvenile, have been the black and yellow striped like the ribbon snakes. I tried to get a couple of pictures of it. I figured you guys would be able to tell me if it is definitely a garter, and if so what kind (common I'm guessing...I never come across anything fancy lol).

This picture is horrible, my camera won't focus for some reason. But it gives an idea I guess.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/PittyLova/snake.jpg

[Snake lover 3-25]

welcome:D

i think that's an eastern garter.... but not sure....

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard. :)

[Snaky]

Welcome, have fun here :)

[jitami]

Welcome :) What area are you in? It definately looks like a garter, but a general area might help figure out what kind. At only 6" it's definately a baby so it should get used to handling and stop striking eventually. If you're going to keep it, give it a couple of weeks to settle in and then resume gentle handling. Have you had a look at the care sheets? Garters eat mainly worms, fish, and mice, no insects :)

[zooplan]

Welcome to the forum.
We like all pictures, but
we like pictures of garters most:D

[Tori]

Definately a garter, I would say eastern but without knowing the area you found it in I can't say for sure. For what it is worth, if a six inch baby did bite you you wouldn't even feel it. No pain at all, you would barely be able to tell that something is touching you. I usually let them bite me all they want and by the time they are larger they don't even try anymore.

And by the way...Welcome!

[drache]

hi there and welcome to the forum

[gregmonsta]

Greetings :D

[anji1971]

Hello, and welcome! Pretty little snake you've found!:)

[kmreese]

Welcome! You'll like it here and will meet a great bunch of folks who are always there to help and answer questions for us new-snake-owners :)

[pittylova]

Thanks a bunch! I was figuring it was an Eastern Garter after doing a bit of looking online, but was still unsure. As I mentioned I always see the garters that are black/yellow like the ribbon snakes around here. I'm in southern New Hampshire. I have this little guy all set up nice. I happened to have a few extra things as I'm building a vivarium for my anoles and bought too much (of course). So he has a smaller tank (10gal) for now with reptile soil I ordered online, a fairly big water dish...he fits in no issue, a few live plants, and a hide log. He tends to hang out at the top of the plants.

I do have one question though. When I put him in the container I had when I found him he immediately regurgitated a red eft (eastern newt juvenile). I'm assuming that's not a good thing but will that have any impact on him (or her)? I did feel a bit guilty about that. :(

[jitami]

Not an expert, but it was probably just the stress of capturing & moving him. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Sorry if you've already answered this, but how long have you had it and have you already fed it something else?

I'd give him a few days to a week to settle down before feeding him, but if you've already done so and he's held that meal down, just keep an eye on him. A vet visit may be in order if the problem continues, but given the circumstances I'm sure it was just the stress.

[pittylova]

I've had him about a week and he ate a guppy and toadlet within the week without any issues. I waited a couple of days before feeding because I read not to feed if they're stressed. He seems perfectly fine now.

[jitami]

Wouldn't worry too much about it then :)

[pittylova]

These guys tend to calm down a bit as they get older? This guy is calmer when I walk by and seems curious. But strikes as soon as I go near the cage. He got me good trying to change the water, actually took a tad bit of finger with him :eek:. Obviously not a huge amount but I do like my fingers lol! Would I be better off letting this little one go and just buying from a breeder? The adults I've caught and let go were all quite calm. Just this morning I moved one away from the road that was large (over 2 ft easy) and she just hung out on my arm for a good 10min after I was letting her go in the woods. I've never seen one this aggressive.