My new Santa Cruz

[Spankenstyne]

These little gaffers are well travelled. In the last week alone they have gone from: North Carolina to Florida to California then all the way up to Alberta, Canada. They're settling in great and are eating as I type this. I excitedly took a couple of quick pics last night before I put them away to settle into their new homes & wanted to share.

I don't know how many Santa Cruz garters are in collections up here in Canada but these may be the only ones, if not they're definitely quite rare up here. Regardless I'm just so excited to have them and am blown away by how nicer they look in person, more than I even expected.

I wanted also to thank Scott Felzer for these & my buddy Jim Dyke for picking them up in Daytona for me. They both went above and beyond during the process and I appreciate it, thanks guys!

Here's the female. I was blown away by how black she is.
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/spankenstyne/Thamnophis/atratusgirl1a.jpg

The baby male. Can't wait to see him grow up.
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/spankenstyne/Thamnophis/atratusboy1a.jpg

[GarterGeek]

They are beautiful...and shiny!:D

[guidofatherof5]

Nice looking snakes.

[TheSnakeGuy1]

Beautiful specimens!
-Alex
--------------------------
" Balls Corn's & Garters"

[jitami]

So pretty :) Congrats on the new additions :)

[DavidD]

Very nice, I have considered a pair of these

[Spankenstyne]

Thanks everyone. It's funny how excited one can get over something so small. I'm still on cloud 9, so glad I was able to get them.

[justme]

I'm planning on moving out of California so I can attain some and be on cloud 9 too! hehe...

[gregmonsta]

Very nice :D

[Mommy2many]

Congratulations! Beautiful additions.

[Spankenstyne]

8 months later on that tiny one:

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/spankenstyne/Thamnophis/atratus2c04202010.jpg

[BUSHSNAKE]

looking great!

[infernalis]

That's one species I still need to get. Lucky you!

[ConcinusMan]

Wow, he really grew! Good husbandry.

Personally, I don't see why they're so special to everyone. They don't thrill me.:cool:

If I'm going to have a rather plain garter snake, I vote for my red stripe ordinoides.

[guidofatherof5]

8 months later on that tiny one:

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/spankenstyne/Thamnophis/atratus2c04202010.jpg

Great looking garter. Remindes me of the very dark phase radix.
An awesome plain snake. I would say they could have a place here at the Ranch any old day.

[ConcinusMan]

No way, man. Need the room for concinnus!

[Spankenstyne]

lol different strokes my friend. Weird that somone named ConcinnusMan would prefer concinnus eh? ;)
Thanks or the kind words though from everyone.

I enjoy all the garter species & subspecies. Some just have a more subdued subtle beauty than others. For what it's worth my pictures are terrible (horrible snake cave lighting) & there's a lot more colour and contrast going on than it appears. When things slow down here I'll get some better ones to properly capture the colours. I will tell you that in person more people are blown away by these atratus than my hypo marcianus. I have a lotta love for concinnus and ordinoides as well & will hopefully have some here this year.

[ConcinusMan]

I hear you. I can't get a dang decent picture either. But this one does come very close to doing this ordioides justice. Now, if they only came in a golden-striped phase...(they might, but not around here) Still looking for that ultimate rare find; one with significant green or blue.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/3812/gedc1097.jpg

[drache]

beautiful
that species is way up there on my wish list

[ConcinusMan]

Well, which one are you referring to? I already know you want a red-striped ordinoides. Waitin' for her to pop or until I get another. I want that poster!