I cant have a snake!!!

[commongartersnake]

I cant, cant have a garter snake............ :( I cant believe it....... my father said they are WILD and they are to stay that way...... He said he can't see them as pets, sob sob

I am crying my head off, I REALLY WANTED ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I cant believe, I AM SO UPSET>

[Didymus20X6]

That sucks! You were so excited about getting one, too!

Funny thing is, cats and dogs were also wild animals at one time, and they've been kept as pets for ages.

[gregmonsta]

Not even a CB one? ... show him this forum.

[Snakers]

omg you got so happy then crushed sorry to hear it

[mtolypetsupply]

Sorry to hear it, Alexis. Perhaps he doesn't understand your passion for them.

Is there a nature center that has herps at which you could volunteer? Even if you just have to pick up garbage around the park for a while, perhaps you could work your way up to caring for the snakes. Then you could ask again, once the Park Service trusts you to care for their snakes. If they Park Service sees you as a competent snake steward/handler, perhaps that will change Dad's mind.

Best of luck to you.

:)

[drache]

you know - your father does have a point - up to a point
most of mine aren't wild though
I suspect some of them could easily revert, but I'm not so sure about my third or fourth generation captive bred ones - some of them get scared if the food moves (yes indeed)
has your father put down his foot on garters altogether, or is it just a matter of insufficient education?
don't give up on your efforts to demonstrate responsible behaviour - that is always good currency with parents, not to mention that it's good practice in general

[mtolypetsupply]

don't give up on your efforts to demonstrate responsible behaviour - that is always good currency with parents, not to mention that it's good practice in general

Well said, Rhea.
:)

[Corinne33]

And try to keep in mind that at some point you will be out of his house and on your own. At that point if you want a garter no one, but possibly your landlord, can tell you no. At this point i would just respect your fathers decision, keep showing how responsible you are, and wait for him either to change his mind (without you pestering him) or you to move out.

[Mommy2many]

Alexis,

Keep up the faith. Remind your Dad, that the babies are not Wild Caught, they can be considered captive bred. You are providing a home for a baby who cannot be set free into the wild.

Remember, this world is full of rules. If this is not the time, then there is a better time and a more important snake for you to take care of. You have to believe in fate. I know it's hard. We (most of us on this forum) have been your age before and know exactly how you feel. Please let us know how you make out and if your Dad needs to ask any questions, I'm sure everyone of us is available to answer any questions/concerns he may have. Most of us have been raising garters since we have been kids younger than you.:):rolleyes::D:o

[mustang]

atleast u dont have to make straight As at a magnet school and like mommy2many said u are providing a home to garters that cant be set free

[ConcinusMan]

You just tell your dad that there's a whole mess of people here on the forum with garter snakes that are far from wild. Captive bred for generations and I'm sure somebody here would be willing to send you one of those. However, also point out that if you get a local "wild" garter snake it would be educational and give a chance to gain some experience with keeping them. If something goes wrong and the snake doesn't do well, or you otherwise can no longer care for it, you can always release a wild local snake.

All pet dogs are technically "wild" too. Canis Lupus (grey wolf) is the same species as all pet dogs, even chihuahua's!. Pet dogs are simply artificially selected for certain physical traits/colors/genes/attitude, etc. Same goes for captive bred garters! Just like a chihuahua couldn't survive on it's own in the wild, many captive bred garters, especially albinos and snows, stand very little chance of surviving without human care and protection. Therefore according to your dads ideas, they would no longer be wild snakes.

That's a bummer about not getting a garter snake though. Heck, I don't even have one right now. It's been a few years and I joined the forum because I figured it was about time I got over my pair of Oregon Red-spotted. They died a few years ago of old age and it broke my heart. I figured it's time to move on and get some more this coming spring (or sooner)

Keep at it. When your dad is in a good mood, especially when he's giving you a "pat on the back" slip in a few arguments why a garter snake would make a great pet. ;)