I got one!

[Sitting_duck]

I went and got my first garter today! :)

He's so cool, I'd say about 2 feet long, maybe just a bit short.

Pics will be coming soon.

[infernalis]

Congrats Austin!!!

Happy dance time:)

We all love pictures, so you better not keep us waiting long!

What kind of garter is it??

[Scaley.Jade]

go you cant wait to see pics
what did you get ?

[Sitting_duck]

*happy dance*

I'm %75 sure its a radix. Just by searching radix up on google and comparing. When I first put him in the tank, he hung out on the warm side, then went over and got a drink. Then just dissapeared into the aspen. Is that alright?

[Sid]

Congratulation, Austin. You won't be sorry with your choice:D.
I'll be waiting for the photos.

[adamanteus]

Good choice with radix, Austin!

[infernalis]

Totally normal:D

Try and leave it alone for a day or two so it can get used to you and it's new home.

I know it's tempting, but the snake will appreciate it more if you let it settle in for a while.

[Scaley.Jade]

Good choice with radix, Austin!

thought you might be pleased with that lol
anyone would think james likes radix lol

[infernalis]

Nah, he HATES radix:rolleyes:

[Scaley.Jade]

i know thats why he keeps getting rid of them to me lol
its not my fault he hates them

[Sitting_duck]

Thanks guys =)

They said he was fed on sunday, so I'll do feedings on sundays I guess. I bought 3 frozen pinkies, but they look way to small for his size. I guess we'll see on his first feeding.

[infernalis]

A couple feedings a week would be better:)

[Sitting_duck]

Whatever, it's all fine with me =).

Again, I'm pretty sure its a radix. Could be wrong. Just my(our) luck, my camera needs to be charged. But I PROMISE I'll have pics sometime soon.

When do you think I should even try and feed? Should I start sunday? That means I'll have had him for only about 5 nights.

At the store, I had a choice between a baby garter, and the big garter(compared to the baby at least). So I chose the biggest one, I have the room, so why not.

[infernalis]

That was the wiser choice:D

Well established (bigger) garters are easier to care for than a finicky baby would be.....

[adamanteus]

Yeah... what Wayne just said!:D

[Sitting_duck]

Yeah, that's what I figured. I bought him from petco, but he seems in good health.

[guidofatherof5]

I'm happy for you, especially if it's a Radix. That's my favorite! Okay, that's all I have but I think they rock.

[drache]

congrats
can't wait to see

[adamanteus]

I'm happy for you, especially if it's a Radix. That's my favorite! Okay, that's all I have but I think they rock.


I'm with you on that, Steve! radix are the quintessential Garter! Every home should have one (some).:D

[jitami]

Congratulations!!! :D

You can try offering food on Sunday, but don't be suprised if he isn't interested. Can't wait to see pics!!!

[olive oil]

Woo Hoo :D
Can't wait to see him.

[reptile3]

That was the wiser choice:D

Well established (bigger) garters are easier to care for than a finicky baby would be.....


I can vouch for that.... LOL my babies are finicky, BUT I love them!:D

[reptile3]

Austin~ http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/pcpenguin_2000/CONGRATULATIONS.jpg


Can't wait to see pictures!

[Snake lover 3-25]

congrats!!!!:D pics!!!!!:D

[Sitting_duck]

Thanks everyone, cant stay for long.

Camera froze up, I'll keep trying

[Sitting_duck]

PICS!!!!!!!

Ok so tell me what he is, I'm not sure still.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp98/vivarium_pictures/gartersnake001.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp98/vivarium_pictures/gartersnake002.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp98/vivarium_pictures/gartersnake003.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp98/vivarium_pictures/gartersnake004.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp98/vivarium_pictures/gartersnake005.jpg

[gregmonsta]

Is that not a Keelback? ... An indonesian garter?

[Sitting_duck]

EDIT- Yup, just google searched. do indonesian garters have same basic care?

It's a Xenochrophis vittata

[gregmonsta]

Relatively similar ... there are one or two people on here that have them.

[Stefan-A]

Roughly the same. It's a tropical species, so it probably needs more humidity and a slightly higher ambient temperature.

[Sitting_duck]

Awww man...

I'm already having trouble keeping humidity high. I can't find any information on these guys.

[Sitting_duck]

Aww man again! I just found out its a rear-fanged snake =(. So i guess I can't handle it at all. There is literaly no information on this snake, the only thing that comes up is other people asking about this snake. =(

[Stefan-A]

They are supposedly about as venomous as the real garter snakes, in other words practically harmless. And they're supposedly not very keen on biting. :)

[gregmonsta]

You should find out if it's captive bred or wild caught. They are rear-fanged but the venom is very mild. Wild caught specimens can have a very high parasite load from the amphibians that they favour.

[Sitting_duck]

I think its CB, no way to tell though.

He seems nice and calm, he's just basking on a log hide. I offered him a worm, and he slithered away. They said he was fed last sunday, so I don't know why I even tried to feed this soon.

I'm real concerned because there is no information on the web. If anyone finds anything, send me the link please.

Do they have the same diet? Temperature needings?

[gregmonsta]

PM shannon (asnakelovingbabe). I think she has one and will be only too happy to proffer advice ;)

[Sitting_duck]

ok.

I have a question about feeding snakes.

If your taking your snake out of his tank to feed, do you put him back in his original tank once hes swallowed the meal?

[crzy_kevo]

nice shot at trying to get a garter but i guess a keelback is the next best thing :D

[Sitting_duck]

I don't mind, I just wanted a snake.

[crzy_kevo]

i hear keelbacks have about the same temperment as garters and care isnt much different (also what i hear)

i do like how they look like black radix with 2 dorsal stripes tho :D

[Sitting_duck]

I'm hoping they have the same diet. I'm breeding guppies(trying to), just collected bunch of worms, and I have 3 pinkies to feed when hes ready...

[Stefan-A]

I'm hoping they have the same diet. I'm breeding guppies(trying to), just collected bunch of worms, and I have 3 pinkies to feed when hes ready...
I got the impression that they'd mainly feed on fish and amphibians in the wild, but you'll have to keep us informed. :)

[Sitting_duck]

bummer...I guess we'll see...


edit-nvm, pinkies are way to costly anyways.

[Stefan-A]

You can always try scenting the pinkies. :)

[Sitting_duck]

Yeh I guess.

My heat lamp is heating things up way to much, i find I have to spray things down to keep the temp down constantly. Temps are hitting 95-100. So I stacked some wood beneath the lamp so it'd be further away from the tank. Any other suggestions?

[crzy_kevo]

my suggestion would be to get a lower wattage bulb or a lamp with a dimmer on it i have one with a dimmer

the one with a dimmer only cost me a couple bucks more

[Sitting_duck]

Me being 13 plays a big role in the cost issue. It's hard for me to afford things like this. If It's absolutely neccesary for one of my animals to live, then my parents will buy it if I don't have the money.

$20 things takes huge chunks out of my wallet.

[crzy_kevo]

true that does suck then another suggestion would be to position the light so that the the whole thing isnt shining into the tank that would problalby help

[Sitting_duck]

Maybe I'll just collect some bricks or more wood and make the light be very far away from the tank.

[infernalis]

Another idea, get permission or help:D

Screw a cup hook into the ceiling over the tank, then hang the light by the cord from the hook, you can get the light up and off the tank without bricks or blocks that way.

[reptile3]

Another idea, get permission or help:D

Screw a cup hook into the ceiling over the tank, then hang the light by the cord from the hook, you can get the light up and off the tank without bricks or blocks that way.


Good idea, I did that for my big iguana I had, his che for night I had to hang it.

[Justinviper]

nice looking snake. they are very calm snakes mine has never showed aggression of any kind and i'm under the impression that all are that way so you can certainly handle it. I don't know of any that are cb, i think most if not all are wc. there are no breeders of these snakes in the states, not sure about anywhere else though.

[Sitting_duck]

Dekay, thanks for the idea. I'll look into that. Yeh Justin,I sort of assumed there weren't many breeders here in the U.S. Information is very hard to come by for these guys.