Hello!!

[maxmommy]

Good morning! I am new here; I recently purchased three Indonesian garter snakes from a reputable online source. I was surprised that received two fairly young snakes and a mature female (nearly two feet). I am certainly not complaining, but I was not prepared for raising an adult as of yet. I was planning on feeding the snakes insects and small minnows from my pond; looks like I've got to purchase some pinkies right now as well! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I have two ponds in my backyard stocked with bullfrogs (nature stocked them for me; I didn't choose the bullfrogs, but I like them!) and I have a land tortoise, two red sliders and firebellied toads in an aquarium in the house.
Oh, and two wirehaired dachshunds! Can't forget the dogs! LOL!:)

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard. :)

As far as the diet goes, to my knowledge they aren't insectivores, so don't bother feeding them insects. Minnows might not be the ideal fish, as they are likely to contain thiaminase, an enzyme that over time can cause neurological disorders and death. Most people here use salmon or tilapia, with added multivitamin supplements.

Another thing I'd like to point out, is that the so-called Indonesian garters aren't true garters, they are a species called Striped Keelback (Xenochrophis vittatus). They are rear-fanged and apparently only very mildly venomous. These snakes appear to usually be wildcaught in poor condition with significant parasite problems and most seem to do very poorly. However, most specimens with these problems come through some of the larger pet store chains. We have a number of threads about this species, as well as the stores that sell them, so I recommend searching through them.

[maxmommy]

Thank you, Stefan! I have read that they differ from our garter snakes and heard they are short-lived. These are captive bred and are beauiful and healthy...I didn't purchase them through a pet store. I am going to do my best to give them a great home and lots of TLC!!! Any help from others on this type of snake is greatly appreciated : )

[Mommy2many]

Welcome to the forum!

[gregmonsta]

Greetings :D

[guidofatherof5]

Nice to have you with the forum. Would love to see some pictures.

[mustang]

o let me guess reptilesncritters.com!!!! welcome!!

[count dewclaw]

Welcome, welcome! :D

[drache]

welcome to the forum

[maxmommy]

:) OMG! I haven't had such a warm welcome from a forum like this EVER!!! You guys are GREAT!!!
As a matter of fact, yes, I DID get my babies from Reptilesncritters. I have always had luck with them, and the animals have been very healthy.
Now, I am REALLY confused about something. If these so-called "Indonesian Garter Snakes" don't fair very well in captivity (OR IN THE WILD???) why are they selling them? They are obviously docile, beautiful and easy to handle...why then the short life span? I cannot bear to lose my pets; I, like many of you folks, get attached very easily to my babies, and I am just devastated when they succumb to something and I'm left in the dark.
If any of you have had good luck with them, PLEASE let me know what I need to do to keep them alive! Thanks in advance :confused:

[Stefan-A]

Now, I am REALLY confused about something. If these so-called "Indonesian Garter Snakes" don't fair very well in captivity (OR IN THE WILD???) why are they selling them?
Because people will buy them.

They might otherwise do well in captivity, but the specimens that are usually available, are wildcaught. They're often kept in very poor conditions over there and then transported half way around the world to be kept in only marginally better conditions before being sold to pet stores who keep them under conditions that vary from decent to atrocious. Only a fraction of the snakes caught actually survive that long and those that do, develop all sorts of problems.

[jitami]

Wanted to offer a late welcome! Seems we're practically neighbors :)