????? Rescued

[k2l3d4]

By now a few of you have seen my thread about a albino garter that is a sibling to Little Dude that Petco had that was not growing,. Well i could not live with my self any longer knowing that they were slowly killing the snake..

Rescue" is very possibly a female and is measuring in only at 12.5 inches long.
Little Dude measures in at 22 inches and growing

I found out that they were feeding Rescue one pinkie on Wednesdays and then one feeder fish on the weekend
I just fed Rescue and it ate two pinkies and three small feeders in one sitting. Rescue was one hungry little one

Here are a few pics... hopefully I can get better tail pics in the next few days.
Rescue and Little Dude (major size difference for siblings)
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs146.snc1/5414_1109199128517_1183004362_30276764_4994227_n.j pg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30276760&id=1183004362)

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs126.snc1/5414_1109199088516_1183004362_30276763_2600245_n.j pg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30276760&id=1183004362)

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs126.snc1/5414_1109199048515_1183004362_30276762_2966867_n.j pg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30276760&id=1183004362)

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs126.snc1/5414_1109199008514_1183004362_30276761_3214888_n.j pg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30276760&id=1183004362)

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs126.snc1/5414_1109198968513_1183004362_30276760_7311074_n.j pg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30276760&id=1183004362)

[GarterGeek]

Siblings!? Wow, it looks as if one could be a parent and the other a young-one. It's nice to know Rescue is now being cared for. Congratulations! :D

[k2l3d4]

Thanks.... I am so hoping that it is not a girl, because I only have the one tank... and not the financial ability currently to get another. I just could not let it stay there any longer. So far Little Dude and Hudini are showing no signs of aggression towards it and I have put some pinkies in ther for them to eat and not want to eat such a small snake.
If it does end up being a femal I may have to find it a new home in aa year or so....It was born in aug/sept 08 so I think I have a year or two before it would be sexually mature enough to breed. So that gives me some time to get it healthy and growing. ...

[guidofatherof5]

Nice job. It's good they are getting proper care.

[gregmonsta]

Congrats on the rescue :D

[jitami]

Aw, good for you for going and getting Rescue. Those pics are really hard to tell the sex, but even if it's a girl, maybe by the time you have to move it you'll have found a cheapie tank on craigslist or something. Glad he/she's in good hands!

[Millinex]

The garters at petco always kill me to, such a shame because they really aren't all that hard to care for, good job on saving the rascal

[k2l3d4]

Thanks you all. Now I really need to find a good frozen rodent supplier for here in the Bay Area, California.... other wise these little ones are going to eat me out of house and home. Any one know of any good places for California?

[jitami]

I'm up by Sacramento, but I ended up placing an order with Rodent Pro. For about $100 you could have 6 month to a year's worth of food for your three. Remember, you can alternate frozen fish fillet with mice, too. It's quite a bit cheaper that way. I had pretty decent luck placing an add on craigslist in my area for rodent suppliers. Was buying them from local people for about 75 cents a piece... way less than petco, but more than buying in bulk. The other thing you can do is try to hook up with a small group who will do bulk orders together and split the shipping costs. Good luck!

[Didymus20X6]

I wonder how much money PetCo makes off of conscientious animal lovers who just can't bear to see their merchandise neglected and/or abused every year?

[jitami]

I wonder how much money PetCo makes off of conscientious animal lovers who just can't bear to see their merchandise neglected and/or abused every year?

Quite a bit, I'm sure!

[k2l3d4]

I'm up by Sacramento, but I ended up placing an order with Rodent Pro. For about $100 you could have 6 month to a year's worth of food for your three. Remember, you can alternate frozen fish fillet with mice, too. It's quite a bit cheaper that way. I had pretty decent luck placing an add on craigslist in my area for rodent suppliers. Was buying them from local people for about 75 cents a piece... way less than petco, but more than buying in bulk. The other thing you can do is try to hook up with a small group who will do bulk orders together and split the shipping costs. Good luck!

Yeah.. I am going to try and get Rescue to eat some dead fish, but we will see... .Little Dude and Hudinie look at me like I am crazy when I offerthem fish fillets.. they will only eat Pinkies and sometimes feeder fish... spoiled little brats...lol
How bad was Rodent Pro's shipping costs? That seems to be where they get you for the money.

[Millinex]

Petco here isn't horrible. Generally they do a good job with almost all the reptiles, except of course the garters, which is them being simply misinformed about the snakes. They also don't do tremendous with ball pythons or corns, but people buy them way faster so they usually don't have any in stock.

The bad place for reptile here is the mall pet store, its a semi-local chain that frankly sells everything and anything for cheap, and has no idea how to care for the animals.

[DrKate]

Now I really need to find a good frozen rodent supplier for here in the Bay Area, California
East Bay Vivarium in Berkeley sells pinkies for about $1 apiece (discounted to $0.90 I think if you buy 10, and maybe less if you buy like 50). Probably a bit more expensive than what you could get from individuals on craigslist, but perhaps more consistent.

Also somebody posted a link in this forum a while ago called something like "pinkies really cheap" with another mail-order place, but IIRC their shipping made it not a good deal unless you're buying like 1000 of them at once.

[k2l3d4]

Alright... I just placed an order with Rodent Pro... hopefully all goes well... 200 mice for 78 dollars is not bad since right now I am spending about 15 dollars for 9 pinkies.... So far since I brough Rescue home a couple of hours ago... Little Dude and Hudinie are ignoring Rescue and Rescue is staying away from them....

[prattypus]

I wonder how much money PetCo makes off of conscientious animal lovers who just can't bear to see their merchandise neglected and/or abused every year?

As messed up as it is, I can see some greedy corporation business model working that in some where.:mad:

[drache]

found this for you:
BAY AREA AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE SOCIETY - Calendar (http://www.baars.org/shows.html)
they list reptile events in your area, where you're likely to find your frozen rodents without the shipping fees
but be forewarned - going to shows is dangerous for some people

[k2l3d4]

Thanks for the info... It looks like they will have a show next month down in San Jose.....

[mustang]

good luck with yours

[misskris]

Good job. Our PetCo is pretty much clueless, they were feeding Simone rosyreds. Good luck with the little one :)

[ssssnakeluvr]

nice rescue. the snake looks healthy...if they are fed just enough to survive they won't grow fast. there's no skin folds on the side so thats good. hope the little fella does good!!

[k2l3d4]

my worry is that Rescue has not grown at all.... When I purchase Little Dude *who is a sibling of Rescues* back in October 08 he was the same size that Rescue is now. For the most part Rescue is doing fine with being handled and took right to the pinkies... ate two plus three small feeders. That and Rescue is darker loooking... I do not know how to explain it... not quite a shedding appearance, but not the vibrance that Little Dude has... almost dull looking.

[ssssnakeluvr]

he has probably not eaten much, just enough to survive...the more they eat the faster they grow...but if they eat a couple guppies every other week, they will survive, but not grow much

[Seere121]

Nice looking garters, wish you well with Rescue. I have had to stop going to petco since every time i go there i get so tempted to pick up their neglected "ribbon" snakes (really keelbacks), knowing full well what will happen to the poor little snakes.
As for reptile shows, It's dangerous for me to go to them, last time i was there I came home with a new hognose, and the time before that a pair of Coastal carpet pythons, and the time before that...and the time before that...

[mustang]

they look like theyre in good hands

[k2l3d4]

Thank you all for your kind words....Hudinie is doing what he did to Little Dude last year, and being a pest to Rescue... He keeps going over and sitting on Rescue.. Poor little thing is so tiny. ... I will keep you all updated with how Rescue does......so far Rescue has stayed away from both Hudinie and Little Dude to the best of his ability.

[k2l3d4]

Ok I picked up Rescue on Sunday and it ate two pinkies and three small feeder fish..... Just checked it's tummy and could not see any food in it... (I love that little bonus of bweing able to see how fulltheir tummies are when they are albinos).. So I went a head and offered it another two pinkies... Ate one, and in the process of doing that some blood from the pinkie got on the box that I am feeding Rescue seperately in.... needless to say Rescue became more interested in trying to eat the box, and ignored the second pinkie.... So far it is a bit timid, and not going near Little Dude and Hudinie, (possibly because it is so small?) , but is eating very good for being so little.....

[drache]

nice to have a good eater
I'm guessing Rescue will have a bit of a growth spurt soon

[k2l3d4]

Rescue should definately be ... It is devouring everything that I put in front of it....lol. I am not complaining about that though since it went so long without.....

[k2l3d4]

Ok well it looks like Hudinie and Little Dude are excepting Rescue finally...... Rescue has been found with them constantly now.

[k2l3d4]

alright... Rescue just shed for the first time... I had to help... was not coming off in one shed at all. It was coming off in pieces so I gave Rescue a warm bath and helped.

Here are some post shed pics and the best ones that I have gotten of the tail. Rescue is not that photo happy when it comes to getting the tail. Am I right in assuming that Rescue is a girl?

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs126.snc1/5414_1112399288519_1183004362_30284754_5051631_n.j pg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30284755&id=1183004362)

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs126.snc1/5414_1112399328520_1183004362_30284755_224546_n.jp g (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30284755&id=1183004362)

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs126.snc1/5414_1112399368521_1183004362_30284756_7820408_n.j pg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30284755&id=1183004362)

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs126.snc1/5414_1112399408522_1183004362_30284757_2930424_n.j pg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30284755&id=1183004362)

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs146.snc1/5414_1112399448523_1183004362_30284758_3554940_n.j pg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30284755&id=1183004362)

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs146.snc1/5414_1112399488524_1183004362_30284759_6017422_n.j pg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30284755&id=1183004362)

[k2l3d4]

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs126.snc1/5414_1112399528525_1183004362_30284760_7766088_n.j pg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30284755&id=1183004362)

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs126.snc1/5414_1112399568526_1183004362_30284761_4193494_n.j pg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30284755&id=1183004362)

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs126.snc1/5414_1112399608527_1183004362_30284762_2428696_n.j pg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30284755&id=1183004362)

And to think that her brother is about four times bigger then Rescue.

[Snake lover 3-25]

i'd say female... beautiful snake:)

[k2l3d4]

Shikes..... I was hoping that I was sexing her wrong...my other two are males and I am sure that they would love to have a female...... ;)

Ok so now I need to look at getting another tank here in a year or possibly finding her a good home here in a year...... Shucks... She is such a cutie for a half starved 08. And she has been loving getting two pinkiies every couple of days.... She eats every time I put a pinkie in front of her face. Well.. with the stunted growth from Petco starving her and it being so late in the season it does not appear that I need to worry about breeding this year, and I think that I will be fine for next spring.... I will enjoy her for as long as I can and see where life takes us in a year or so....

[guidofatherof5]

It sounds like rescue has a good friend, now. Garters are so much fun to watch and interact with. I hope you and Rescue will enjoy your travels together.

[k2l3d4]

It sounds like rescue has a good friend, now. Garters are so much fun to watch and interact with. I hope you and Rescue will enjoy your travels together.

Thank you Steve... I am always looking for your posts and insights ... it seems that you know what you are talking about when it comes to Garters. Rescue and I are doing well and Hudinie and Little Dude are appearing to be more accepting of Rescue lately... Thank goodness that I am use to helping them shed. Rescues brother Little Dude always has troubles shedding too... (I wonder , can that be genetic?).......
Oh well....
Steve so do you concur that Rescue would be a girl?

Kady

[mustang]

o this one is what u were talkn about ok...jump little fella

[gregmonsta]

Looks like a girl ... :) .... I'd advise against an albino to albino mating though - higher chance of deformities/complications.

[k2l3d4]

Looks like a girl ... :) .... I'd advise against an albino to albino mating though - higher chance of deformities/complications.

Thanks..... I actually am not looking at breeding and if I did it would be with my green checkered that is a male..... also not her brother. No, my main goal is to get her healthy and growing and happy, then from there we will see if i can get another tank nextyear or if I will need to adopt her out...... I am hoping to be able to get another tank, but if I am not able to then I will enjoy having her in my home as long as I can.......

[k2l3d4]

o this one is what u were talkn about ok...jump little fella

Yeah.... I wish.... my main concern is growing over jumping though....:p

[guidofatherof5]

Thank you Steve... I am always looking for your posts and insights ... it seems that you know what you are talking about when it comes to Garters. Rescue and I are doing well and Hudinie and Little Dude are appearing to be more accepting of Rescue lately... Thank goodness that I am use to helping them shed. Rescues brother Little Dude always has troubles shedding too... (I wonder , can that be genetic?).......
Oh well....
Steve so do you concur that Rescue would be a girl?

Kady

Thanks you for your kind words. I myself don't feel that way. As with most things I am self-taught and have a long way to go. The forum members have helped me in so many ways. There insights, knowledge and friendships are priceless. I only hope that I can continue to educate myself to provide a better life for my Garters.


As far as the sex of Rescue. I'm leaning heavily towards female but would like to see a underside photo of the tail area just to be sure.

[k2l3d4]

Yeah... I have had a hard time getting pics of her tail.... modest maybe ;). So far the ones that I have posted up are the best tail shots that I have been able to get of her......and I understand the self taught..to a bit.... I am always shadowing this sight in hopes of finding even more information about my little ones that I did not know before....

[k2l3d4]

Ok....Rescue is doing great. She is so sweet and such a good girl.. She is eating like a champ and doing two pinkies a sitting. I am afraid to let her have more then that...

And today she actually ate from my hand!!!!!
I was holding one side fo the pinkie as she was eating the other.....
She is the first of my four snakes to do that....
It was so totally cool..

[guidofatherof5]

That is great news. Glad Rescue is doing so well.

[Didymus20X6]

And today she actually ate from my hand!!!!!
I was holding one side fo the pinkie as she was eating the other.....
She is the first of my four snakes to do that....
It was so totally cool..
Probably the first one of them hungry enough to do so.

Now that she's eating healthy, what are the chances that she'll be able to grow to her full size potential now? Will having been on a near starvation diet keep her from attaining that now?

[k2l3d4]

Probably the first one of them hungry enough to do so.

Now that she's eating healthy, what are the chances that she'll be able to grow to her full size potential now? Will having been on a near starvation diet keep her from attaining that now?

She has been eating very well since I got her a few weeks ago and she has not once refused a meal. She has done one shed with me as of yet. She has not really been too skittish with me and took right to pinkies. I have not offered her really any live food yet.
As far as if she will grow .... I have no idea. She went her first year not growing at all due to the diet that the store had her on. I am just hoping that I can giver all the opportunity to be as healthy as she can be for her growth being stunted for so long. I hope that she can grow but if not then only time will tell.

That is a great question though...... Any thoughts from those who have more knowledge....

Would the first year of not growing and being starved stunt her growth in all or will she be able to grow now that she is on a healthy eating pattern?:confused:

[guidofatherof5]

Personally, I think once the steady supply of good food is offered and her growth system kicks in she'll surprize you at how fast she'll grow. If not, you'll still have a happy little scrub that now has a better life.
Try some safe nightcrawler with her. Her system need the variety.
Are you dusting food with a supplement? She'll need that once in awhile. I use Rep-Cal 3rd one down on the link page. I sure there other brands out there that do a good job also.Rep-Cal Supplements (http://www.repcal.com/supp.htm#Ultrafine%20Calcium)

[k2l3d4]

Personally, I think once the steady supply of good food is offered and her growth system kicks in she'll surprize you at how fast she'll grow. If not, you'll still have a happy little scrub that now has a better life.
Try some safe nightcrawler with her. Her system need the variety.
Are you dusting food with a supplement? She'll need that once in awhile. I use Rep-Cal 3rd one down on the link page. I sure there other brands out there that do a good job also.Rep-Cal Supplements (http://www.repcal.com/supp.htm#Ultrafine%20Calcium)

Actually steve.... as of yet she has been on a steady diet of pinkie mice.....Her brother Little Dude and Hudinie, will only eat pinkie mice... I have tried everything that has been mentioned here for food for them but the only thing that they will eat other then mice is goldfish.... I let them have those once in a while for a treat but that is it.

Even with feeding them mice should I still use the Rep Cal stuff? I thought that mice was "whole" nutrition for the snakes.