Newbie found gravid(?) garter

[patcuz]

Greetings to All-

My yorkies found a very large, fat garter this past weekend. They molested it pretty good before I could scoop her up. I released the snake in my garden, away from any predators. I'm in CT, and Saturday was rather chilly. I was quite surprised when I found her all curled up under a shrub a good 6 hrs later- I anticipated she would have found a proper home by then. So, went up in the attic & I got a tank set-up w/ heat rock and some feeder goldfish, as I thought perhaps she was gravid & needed an appropriate setting to have her babies. She is quite happy in this situation right now- but could someone please give me guidance? If she is released again- would it be a reasonable expectation that I haven't disrupted anything? I'm not too crazy about keeping a snake on my kitchen counter, but I'm trying to do the most humane thing. Obviously I will need to post a photo in order to get any educated opinions about her gravid status. How long before she pops these guys out and I can send her & the babies on their merry way?
I am not a "snake" person, but my son was as a youth. He had garters, boas, etc- so I'm not completely ignorant. But, he never bred.
Thanks in advance for any input!
-Patti

[guidofatherof5]

Nice to have you with us. Great save! and you say you're not a snake person:rolleyes: You haven't disrupted anything. Was the snake injured by the dog? If it warms up you should be able to just release it. It made it this far and should do very well on its own. Post a photo if you can.
Watch the heat rock. Snakes get burns from those.
Depending on how long you think you'll be keeping her you might want to dig a few worm for her rather than feed her goldfish. Goldfish are not good for Garters. Take a look at the care sheet on the home page of the forum.
I hope I've been helpful.
Once again, Welcome.

[gregmonsta]

Welcome :D ... and yeah ... definately forget about goldfish.

[drache]

welcome to the forum, Patti
I second Wayne's advice

[patcuz]

:)Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone. OK- I'll nix the goldfish, but she didn't like the worm I dug up. I'll figure something out. I will amend her tank setup per the "care of" guide. Now, I just have to figure out how to upload a picture!

[Snake lover 3-25]

nice save! welcome to the forum!

[patcuz]

:confused:OK- Bear with me, guys- I THINK I figured out the picture thing...I'm not as computer saavy as I thought I was.
Your opinion if I've got a preggers, please!

I tried picking her up, and she was very skittish. So, I tried taking the photos through the tank.

[patcuz]

:) Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!
I will amend the tank setup & feeding per the "Care Guide"
I've attached some photos,(I hope! Geez, what a project...don't know how you guys have such beautiful pictures)

Looking forward to your opinions-

Patti

[jitami]

Welcome :) Thanks for saving her. I would guess that she is gravid, and like others have said, she'll be ok released once it warms up a bit.

[k2l3d4]

ok.... my amatuer opinion is that she is gravid.... second,,, not all garters like worms..... my checkereds wont touch them... I use warmed up pinkies.... warm them and put them on a plate. Both my checkereds like to eat off of a plate.

[ssssnakeluvr]

it can take up to 2 weeks or so before some garters get used to captivity and eat....

[TwistidMutations]

it can take up to 2 weeks or so before some garters get used to captivity and eat....


And sometimes even longer.she will eat when she feels comfortable.No worries.And welcome to the site

[Seere121]

If she takes the fish, you could always scent a worm or a mouse pink with the goldfish so she will think its a fish and will probably eat it up. After a few times they usually go with the new diet without needing it to be scented anymore. Hope this is helpful, and good save!

[Sid]

Nice Garter and it does appear gravid. Welcome to the forum.

[patcuz]

I'm going to try and keep her until she births. (What's the proper word?) Don't know if I can do the pinks: the same quality in me that picked a snake up and "saved" it for the comfort of a proper birthing experience, has a bit of a problem of handling pinks. Remember...I have a bunch of furry, yappy little dogs that I even dress up from time to time.
Warming? As in microwave? We'll see...at least I know she's not going to starve on me, she ate 2 goldfish right away. I'll try other crawly things. The worm I tried drowned by now. Maybe a big nightcrawler will work. Or scraps from the seafood restaurant...
Next big question please...the mesh top I am using was last used for a larger snake. A baby could probably get through. My plan is to watch the miracle of live birth, then promptly release all to my garden. Is it likely this momentous occasion may occur at 2 am, and 40 baby garters climb up the side of the 20 gal tank, through the mesh and into the silverware drawer? Sorry if this is sounding so dramatic here, but I am trying to cover all bases...

[guidofatherof5]

Had to throw this in.
Babies are a whole new ball game, especially for a first time keeper. By shear numbers and needs they can be difficult.
You will need to separate them out from the mother, have food in there size. Another heat source.
They are little beauties and great to have around(I should know) but be prepared.
Good luck and thanks for saving the mother.
Your situation is refreshing and hopeful.:)

[ssssnakeluvr]

Next big question please...the mesh top I am using was last used for a larger snake. A baby could probably get through. My plan is to watch the miracle of live birth, then promptly release all to my garden. Is it likely this momentous occasion may occur at 2 am, and 40 baby garters climb up the side of the 20 gal tank, through the mesh and into the silverware drawer? Sorry if this is sounding so dramatic here, but I am trying to cover all bases...
babies can stick to the glass when they are wet....chances are nothing will happen, but...better safe than sorry....

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, Patti :)

[Snake lover 3-25]

just thought i should throw this in there...... sometimes gravid females will not adjust well to captivity and may chose to abort her litter due to stress, (meaning that she could feel uncomfortable enough to not deliver the litter, and if she delays long enough the babies could parish) it happened last year..... and a whole litter was lost, i don't know how often it happens but just know that it has happened before. certainly not blaming anyone who has lost litters, just trying to prevent more from being lost..........

[KITKAT]

:)Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone. OK- I'll nix the goldfish, but she didn't like the worm I dug up. I'll figure something out. I will amend her tank setup per the "care of" guide. Now, I just have to figure out how to upload a picture!

Try one of the following fish from the grocery store... these are safe species to feed garters:

Salmon
Trout
Tilapia

These should be cut into strips that are not wider than 3/4 of the width of the snake's head, and lengths that make swallowing quick and easy.

Some species of garters are more heavily fish eaters, while other species prefer worms. If she is a fish eater, you can take a small amount of salmon, mince it very small, and take other food items, such as pinkie mice, strips of beef heart, and other assorted, and stir them around in a container of the minced salmon. This is called "scenting" food, and most fish lovers will learn to eat items that are scented.

Garters do best with a variety of foods, so you can fish scent all the different items you want to feed, and rotate the items to get variety of nutrition for your snake.

If you search the archives, you will find other posts about food items that work, and how to present them.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Trout is without a doubt, the all time favorite fish of my garters. They are just so much more enthusiastic when they eat it! and that's saying a lot cause my garters are all pretty darned enthusiastic :rolleyes:

[TwistidMutations]

Trout is without a doubt, the all time favorite fish of my garters. They are just so much more enthusiastic when they eat it! and that's saying a lot cause my garters are all pretty darned enthusiastic :rolleyes:


Like shannon said trout is a great food source for garters.I know my garters are a ***** for trout.