My garter and set up

[And_Lyn]

Hi I'm new here. Just wanted to share a few pics of my garter, Lemmy

http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww245/lyndseyrid/100_1134.jpg
http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww245/lyndseyrid/100_1096.jpg
http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww245/lyndseyrid/100_1129.jpg
http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww245/lyndseyrid/100_1142.jpg

[Stefan-A]

Congratulations, you've been sold a striped keelback (Xenochrophis vittatus).

Xenochrophis vittatus, also known as Striped Keelback. Often sold as "Indonesian garter" or more ridiculously, "Canadian garter", but it's not a genuine garter (Thamnophis spp.). Rear-fanged, mildly venomous oviparous fish/amphibian eater from Southeast Asia. Very likely to be wildcaught and loaded with parasites.

[Snake lover 3-25]

awww cute but actually that's not even a garter...... it's actually a rear fanged striped keelback......

[misskris]

I like your tank.. Pretty snake :) Lemme guess.. Petco?

[And_Lyn]

Ugh...you've got to be kidding me. Wow...couldnt even tell the difference

[gregmonsta]

Nice snakey ... but definately a keelback ... you should get a stool sample to the vet asap as they are usually wild caught and full of endoparasites.

[Stefan-A]

Ugh...you've got to be kidding me. Wow...couldnt even tell the difference
It's happened to a lot of people lately.

[And_Lyn]

I like your tank.. Pretty snake :) Lemme guess.. Petco?


No...a reptile shop near me. Man, that makes me mad. And here I thought they knew their stuff. They had her labeled as an eastern garter...

[gregmonsta]

Set them straight!!! There has been a lot of this lately.

[And_Lyn]

Thanks for the quick replies and knowledge. I'm gonna go back to the reptile shop today and talk to them

[Snake lover 3-25]

nope but it seems to happen alot.... i'd def. go get him tested for worms.... many of them die soon after being bought......

[misskris]

Well, you've come to the right place for help. Best of luck.

[adamanteus]

Just to emphasize something Stefan already said..... these snakes are always wild caught and carry morbid parasite loads. Vetenary care will almosat certainly be needed to clear these parasites from your new Xenochrophis.

[olive oil]

They are such a pretty snake:)
If you keep it I wish you the best of luck!

[And_Lyn]

Is there any way that it could be a northern ribbon snake? I have to look up a vet that deals with herps as the one I went to for my leo has moved

[Stefan-A]

Is there any way that it could be a northern ribbon snake?
In a word, no. I'm sorry, it is definitely a striped keelback.

[Snake lover 3-25]

yup and a very pretty one at that:)

[And_Lyn]

In a word, no. I'm sorry, it is definitely a striped keelback.

No reason to be sorry. I dont mind that it's not a garter. I was just asking as they look the same to my untrained eye

[guidofatherof5]

Welcome
Great looking snake. Very similar care to a Garter. Good advice on the stool sample, ASAP. Take good care of that Keelback. It's come a long away in need of a good home. Hope to get a couple someday, just for that reason. They need someone to care.

[Snake lover 3-25]

yeah they are quite similar but ribons and garters don't have that beautiful striped belly:)

[And_Lyn]

yeah they are quite similar but ribons and garters don't have that beautiful striped belly:)

Cool thanks. Well, here I go to the internet to make sure the set up I have works for it lol :rolleyes:

[Sitting_duck]

If you let a striped keelback chew on you, how venomous are they? What would happen?

My striped keel back died within a month of me buying it from petco. No real way to tell who's fault it was, but I'm pretty certain it wasn't mine. The other day a guy at petco asked me if I needed help. Because I was looking at the striped keel backs they had labeled as garter snakes. I told him that they weren't garter snakes, and should be labeled separately(I'm 13). He got mad I think because I was younger and told me that I was wrong that they were garter snakes, their "suppliers" told petco so.

[And_Lyn]

If you let a striped keelback chew on you, how venomous are they? What would happen?


Yea, I'd also like to know how venomous they are...lol. Someone earlier on said they are slightly venomous...

[Snake lover 3-25]

um i "think" that they're harmless to humans..... but you could always be allergic.... but i've also heard that they're VERY doscile and will hardly ever even try to bite...... i believe that their care is quite similar to garters and that your setup should be fine.....:)

[And_Lyn]

um i "think" that they're harmless to humans..... but you could always be allergic.... but i've also heard that they're VERY doscile and will hardly ever even try to bite...... i believe that their care is quite similar to garters and that your setup should be fine.....:)

Right on, thanks. Yea, she's been super mellow and doesnt mind being handled

[guidofatherof5]

Austin,

Nice try. Try talking to a manager. Take it to the next level in a professional way. Go in with proof but don't use it until last. If you use it to early they'll think you're being a smart guy. This is just the kind of thing young people need to do to help some less smart adults. Get your parents approval first. Don't want to see you get in trouble. Above all be professional and go in knowing you might not get anywhere.
Remember *If you don't make any calls, you won't make any sales*

[jitami]

Welcome :) Hope everything works out for your new snake. Unless you're prepared for a vet visit or two and have prepared yourself for this snake to die, even with vet care, I wouldn't hesitate to take it back. Steve I love your caring nature and your desire to help, but at some point, if people quit buying them and especially continue returning them hopefully they'll become more trouble than it's worth for the pet stores to buy them from their "suppliers." Then in my fantasy world the suppliers wouldn't want them so there'd be no market for those who gather these poor animals out of their natural habitat by the thousands... wishful thinking... I know...

[guidofatherof5]

Tami,

I know what you are saying. It's hard to step back and do nothing for the ones that are here. You are right in what you say. If people don't buy, they won't sell. Thanks for your comments.

[jitami]

I know Steve... and I really don't know what I would do if it were me in Lyn's shoes. I'd probably give it my best shot and try to keep the little guy healthy, but knowing that the odds aren't great anyway it's probably best to return him. Yeah, not sure what I would personally do :( Cruddy situation that no one should be put in in the first place... :(

[adamanteus]

This has been happening so often recently, I think perhaps we, as a group, should contact the Petco Head Office, and ask them to get their act together on this. In fact we should insist.

[misskris]

This has been happening so often recently, I think perhaps we, as a group, should contact the Petco Head Office, and ask them to get their act together on this. In fact we should insist.


I'm in.. However I don't think they'd care. $$$$ is at stake:p If you read there care sheet on Garters it realy isn't that far off base, even mentions goldfish aren't good for them.

[Stefan-A]

This has been happening so often recently, I think perhaps we, as a group, should contact the Petco Head Office, and ask them to get their act together on this. In fact we should insist.
Sent them an email a few minutes ago, but that's hardly enough.

[infernalis]

Welcome to the forum....

Here is what I would do. (Austin, I hope you read this)

Find a web site that is reputable and has keelback pictures and data, print it out and take it to the store.

On a slightly twisted variation to all this, Our local petco has none, I keep checking.

I want one of these Keelbacks!

However PETCO has problems, and is misleading the public, not a first for them.

[adamanteus]

I'm in.. However I don't think they'd care. $$$$ is at stake:p.

True. The dollar is King. But I think we have enough readers and enough members now, that we can wield more than a little power if we wish.;)

[jitami]

On a slightly twisted variation to all this, Our local petco has none, I keep checking.

Ours either... they sell ribbons as garters... at least they're Thamnophis and have basically the same care requirements... despite the crickets sharing their enclosure :mad:

[misskris]

True. The dollar is King. But I think we have enough readers and enough members now, that we can wield more than a little power if we wish.;)


If we could get every single registered member to send an email a day.......

[Stefan-A]

they sell ribbons as garters...
Well, as long as they're not selling them as some incorrect species of garter, they're right. They are garter snakes.

[misskris]

When I lucked out and got Simone at Petco I believe she was labeled Thamnophis Sirtalis "Common Garter".. They haven't gotten anymore in here.

[jitami]

Well, as long as they're not selling them as some incorrect species of garter, they're right. They are garter snakes.

Right... the grumpy face was for the crickets.

[gregmonsta]

That's where the problem is .... almost every keelback that's popped up here was labeled as a thamnophis .... action .... NOW!!!

[jitami]

Is anyone here a member of the Minnesota Herpetlogical Society? It seems they've made a bit of headway with Petco Minnesota Herp Society and Petco: Conference Call (http://www.anapsid.org/pettrade/mhs2.html) If someone is a member perhaps we could see if future calls are planned and ask for our agenda be added to those calls or perhaps even have a representative from Thamnophis.com included on the conference call?

btw, looking for follow up info that may have resulted from that conference call, but haven't found anything yet.

[Sitting_duck]

Austin,

Nice try. Try talking to a manager. Take it to the next level in a professional way. Go in with proof but don't use it until last. If you use it to early they'll think you're being a smart guy. This is just the kind of thing young people need to do to help some less smart adults. Get your parents approval first. Don't want to see you get in trouble. Above all be professional and go in knowing you might not get anywhere.
Remember *If you don't make any calls, you won't make any sales*

I wouldn't get in trouble. Well, not with my parents. And I don't see how the store can do anything.:)

[And_Lyn]

Whew didn't know I'd cause such a fuss :p

Ok...so it WAS Petco my bf got the snake at. I thought that he said the reptile shop. Turns out he had went to the reptile shop but they didnt have any so he ran to Petco and picked her up. Whew I'm too blonde :eek:

Anyway, my bf and I are pretty PO'ed. He emailed calzoo which is the supplier for Petco and they pretty much gave him the middle finger through email. Let him know that he could return it if he wanted to

We decided that we're going to return it tonight when he gets home from work. I'd rather buy an ACTUAL healthy garter from a breeder. We found a breeder online and will be contacting him tonight. I feel bad for the snake...but I dont want to take chances. That may sound horrible, but I've gone this route before with animals from pet shops and its never fun

Anyway, just a quick question. We're going to keep the same tank for the new snake. Can I keep all the same hides, water dish, and trees for the new snake if I SUPER sanitize it? Or should I not take any chances and return them all and get new ones?

Thanks for the advice and sorry for any stupid questions and for the major blonde moment about where the snake came from to begin with. Can anyone blow in my ear? I need a refill :rolleyes:

[Sitting_duck]

The petco nearby has keelbacks mixed in with other real thamnophis. I think the striped keelbacks colors really standout to the random kid who wants a snake, and, keelbacks are generally bigger than the gartersnakes at petco.

At least thats what happend to me. When I went into get a garter snake, I picked the keelback because it was the biggest and the best colored. If only had I known :(

[Snake lover 3-25]

stupid petco :mad:

[adamanteus]

I just sent this to Petco.....

Dear Sirs, I am the administrator/moderator for the Worlds largest Garter Snake Forum, Thamnophis.com. More and more often the name 'Petco' is coming up in conversations regarding the Keelback Snake (Xenochrophis vittatus), which many of your stores are selling as Indonesian Garter Snakes. Please be aware that these snakes are not Garter Snakes, they are mildly venomous and rear fanged. They are always heavily parasitised and invariably die soon after purchase, even in the most experienced of hands.Thamnophis.com has over 7,000 members worldwide, and countless anonymous readers, I'm sure you will agree that this number of people reading the constant bad press regarding Petco and these snakes can only be harmful. I respectfully request that Petco stop buying in these animals, or at the very least label them correctly, so that the public may be aware of what they are purchasing from you. Please feel free to contact me for further information. Note, I will post a copy of this e-mail on the forum. I trust that this request will receive your best attention.

[Stefan-A]

Don't worry about it. :)

[Snake lover 3-25]

nice job james!!!!:D

[And_Lyn]

I just sent this to Petco.....

Dear Sirs, I am the administrator/moderator for the Worlds largest Garter Snake Forum, Thamnophis.com. More and more often the name 'Petco' is coming up in conversations regarding the Keelback Snake (Xenochrophis vittatus), which many of your stores are selling as Indonesian Garter Snakes. Please be aware that these snakes are not Garter Snakes, they are mildly venomous and rear fanged. They are always heavily parasitised and invariably die soon after purchase, even in the most experienced of hands.Thamnophis.com has over 7,000 members worldwide, and countless anonymous readers, I'm sure you will agree that this number of people reading the constant bad press regarding Petco and these snakes can only be harmful. I respectfully request that Petco stop buying in these animals, or at the very least label them correctly, so that the public may be aware of what they are purchasing from you. Please feel free to contact me for further information. Note, I will post a copy of this e-mail on the forum. I trust that this request will receive your best attention.


Nice! I hope they respond although if they do its probably just going to be a brush off

[Stefan-A]

I just sent this to Petco.....

Dear Sirs, I am the administrator/moderator for the Worlds largest Garter Snake Forum, Thamnophis.com. More and more often the name 'Petco' is coming up in conversations regarding the Keelback Snake (Xenochrophis vittatus), which many of your stores are selling as Indonesian Garter Snakes. Please be aware that these snakes are not Garter Snakes, they are mildly venomous and rear fanged. They are always heavily parasitised and invariably die soon after purchase, even in the most experienced of hands.Thamnophis.com has over 7,000 members worldwide, and countless anonymous readers, I'm sure you will agree that this number of people reading the constant bad press regarding Petco and these snakes can only be harmful. I respectfully request that Petco stop buying in these animals, or at the very least label them correctly, so that the public may be aware of what they are purchasing from you. Please feel free to contact me for further information. Note, I will post a copy of this e-mail on the forum. I trust that this request will receive your best attention.
That's almost exactly what I wrote. :D Almost word for word.

[Snake lover 3-25]

ha ha lol nice job stefan tooo!!!:D

[Lori P]

That's a great email, James. I sent one a couple of weeks ago but never heard back-- no surprise there.

Lyn, I'm sorry you had a disapointing beginning. I'd actually LOVE to have some keelbacks, but they don't seem to be captive bred yet. And I just won't give Petco my money. That said, I wouldn't have the heart to return a snake to them, either... even tho it's technically the right thing. You go girl, and give 'em hell!!!

[jitami]

Well done James & Stefan!

[Sitting_duck]

In the time that my keelback was alive he didn't eat at all. He never once pooped... I dont know if thats normal or not.

But also, he was always out basking and would come up to you if you opened the cage. I could take him out and he would be fine in my hands. They're very friendly.

[And_Lyn]

That's a great email, James. I sent one a couple of weeks ago but never heard back-- no surprise there.

Lyn, I'm sorry you had a disapointing beginning. I'd actually LOVE to have some keelbacks, but they don't seem to be captive bred yet. And I just won't give Petco my money. That said, I wouldn't have the heart to return a snake to them, either... even tho it's technically the right thing. You go girl, and give 'em hell!!!


Haha...I plan on it ;)

[infernalis]

If I could lay hands on a PAIR that would change Lori

[olive oil]

I agree, way to go everybody. Give them ****!!!
I feel a little pain in my heart for these poor misunderstood Keelbacks:(

[reptile3]

Our local petco has none, I keep checking.

I want one of these Keelbacks!

However PETCO has problems, and is misleading the public, not a first for them.

My petco doesn't have any!! But that is ok, if there is a garter I want.. I know where to get some!!:rolleyes:

[reptile3]

James & Stefan, great job!! :D

[guidofatherof5]

James,

Very professional.