View Full Version : Newbie here!
Hi all! I'm Mix, I've been a 'lurker' here for a while, but I thought it only fair to show my face. :D
I'm new to keeping snakes for myself, but have experience handling family's snakes, and have 'babysat' my best friend's corn (who was no trouble).
I have wanted a garter for as long as I can remember, and we are on the search now, but am having real trouble finding garters! I have been told that they are not very popular and are 'hard to sell'??
Then I have been offered corns galore, as they are 'easier'...
Is there something sinister about garters I'm unaware of? ;)
Has anyone else in the UK had this problem?
I can locate only 1 garter which is not grown already, an albino checkered born this year, but I have no experience of albinos - do they have any care or health issues that differ from others?
Thank you for reading!
Mix
Stefan-A
06-16-2010, 08:54 AM
Welcome aboard, Mix. :)
infernalis
06-16-2010, 08:59 AM
http://www.thamfriends.com/mat.jpg
infernalis
06-16-2010, 09:01 AM
I can locate only 1 garter which is not grown already, an albino checkered born this year, but I have no experience of albinos - do they have any care or health issues that differ from others?
Thank you for reading!
Mix
They are the same exact care as any other garter snake, they have the same diet and husbandry requirements as a non albino.
You may feed it cut up trout, minced pinkie mice or diced up earthworms.
Feeder guppies are an all time favourite and most checkered garters go crazy over those little flopping fish.
There will surely be a whole lot more great advice from this wonderful lot here, Many really nice people who are more than happy to help you along with your new snake.
http://www.reptard.info/garters/gartergrub.jpg
Hollis_Steed
06-16-2010, 09:01 AM
Welcome Mix:D from Utah USA!
I have a T.radix Nebraska Albino and she is no trouble at all! Might be a good start for you
Stefan-A
06-16-2010, 09:08 AM
They are the same exact care as any other garter snake, they have the same diet and husbandry requirements as a non albino.
Except that UV bulbs are a no-no, as with most albino animals.
Thank you everyone for the warm welcome!
I have to admit that I am already considering the possibility of getting the albino AND another... My ultimate wish would be a melanistic. :)
I have sent a message to Alan Francis, asking if he knows of any breeders near to me, and also ONE store has said that they will check their list of breeders to see if they can find one for me. Fingers crossed! I just can't believe that they are 'unpopular' here.
Charis
06-16-2010, 09:20 AM
Hello & welcome from Idaho, USA!
infernalis
06-16-2010, 09:36 AM
Except that UV bulbs are a no-no, as with most albino animals.
Who uses UV for Thamnophis?? Unless you are referring to an unscrupulous pet shop trying to get deeper into this nice lady's pocket ;)
No one has suggested UV. So far. :D
To be honest, I listen to pet store staff (because some of them know what they're talking about), but I put a lot more stock in the advice of people like your good selves, who have years of experience and also actually read up on news relating to their pets.
A perfect example is hearing that some pet stores advising the use of goldfish as a feeder food. Even as a newbie, I learned about that after even an hour or two's research.
infernalis
06-16-2010, 09:57 AM
It's very refreshing to see someone who does the "homework" before asking the same questions over and over. ;)
Kudos & Cheers.
Stefan-A
06-16-2010, 10:20 AM
Who uses UV for Thamnophis??
Lots of people, actually.
Mommy2many
06-16-2010, 10:46 AM
Welcome to the forum from Connecticut!
infernalis
06-16-2010, 11:13 AM
Lots of people, actually.
The benefit??
mustang
06-16-2010, 11:47 AM
welcome ,checkerds are awsome i have one theyre really nice ! even WCs
mustang
06-16-2010, 11:48 AM
No one has suggested UV. So far. :D
To be honest, I listen to pet store staff (because some of them know what they're talking about), but I put a lot more stock in the advice of people like your good selves, who have years of experience and also actually read up on news relating to their pets.
A perfect example is hearing that some pet stores advising the use of goldfish as a feeder food. Even as a newbie, I learned about that after even an hour or two's research.
because of thees people i learned never to trus the green tounged workers at most stores:D
guidofatherof5
06-16-2010, 12:51 PM
Welcome from the great State of Iowa.
You've probably already looked at it but here's a link to the care sheet.
Garter Snake Care Sheet - Caresheets (http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Garter_Snake_Care_Sheet)
Thank you!
Yep, I've read every care sheet I can get my hands on, inside out!
Now all I need is to find a snake... :( I can't believe it's so hard here!
ConcinusMan
06-16-2010, 02:07 PM
Except that UV bulbs are a no-no, as with most albino animals.
Yes, what Stefan said^^^
With my Amy (Iowa strain albino T. radix) I take it even farther and avoid exposing her to bright light of any kind. She hates it. She only comes out of her hide after dark. Also, I'm pretty sure she's blind other than being able to see light.
All of my non-albinos love bright light and UV. They can get by without UV just fine, but they seem to like it and it helps to stimulate their appetites and keeps them from getting "depressed"
Good to have you with us. Don't worry, someone on the forum will see to it that you get your garter snake. I'm in the U.S. so I can't help but somebody will!
Thanks Odie! :)
Good news today! I have found 3 10-inch red-sided babies to choose from! They are a drive away, but will be worth it, and the guy I spoke to over the phone was obviously one of those staff who actually cares about the snakes. One of the first things he mentioned was the fish issue with thiaminase. Very lovely and helpful man. I might ask him about the UV, and see what they've been getting at the store.
So, a little trip is on the cards this weekend! Can't describe how excited I am.
:D:D:D
And what's even better; if a melanistic ever pops up, hubbie says I can get one, too! Yay!
Hollis_Steed
06-17-2010, 07:38 AM
congrats Mix! Keep us posted and remember to post pics! Looking forward to seeing your newbies!:)
mustang
06-17-2010, 10:38 AM
pics when u get em!
Photos will abound! He's promised to reserve 'the best' female for me, so I'm guaranteed a baby girl on Saturday.
Now I'm trying to come up with names. Have a couple, but want to think of a few to choose from.
gregmonsta
06-17-2010, 12:44 PM
Congrats on the find ;) and greetings from Scotland. As for previous points, welcome to the UK which is morph and boredom obsessed. Garters are much ignored but can be found if you dig hard enough.
Laura
06-18-2010, 03:57 PM
Welcome from the south coast ^^ I got a lil baby girl albino checkered about a month ago, delightful little snakey
Thanks guys!
Here, as promised, are some pics. They're terribly poor quality, as there wasn't much light by the time I took them. I should take some better pics tomorrow, I think!
She's not got much red, but that doesn't bother me in the slightest since I'm not in it for the breeding :p We'll see how she grows.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4715063553_7e21dfb371_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4715708282_fbd0aa79d8_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4715702812_714be8726d_b.jpg
And the viv:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4715700990_c07b58f3e3_b.jpg
She seems very happy, and tucked into a strip of trout straight after exploring.
Still undecided on the name... :confused:
Charis
06-19-2010, 05:19 PM
She is very pretty! Looks good & healthy too. Nice setup!
GarterGeek
06-19-2010, 05:41 PM
Congratulations on your new snake! Let us know when you find a name. :)
Hollis_Steed
06-19-2010, 06:45 PM
Very nice snake! congratulations!
mustang
06-19-2010, 08:34 PM
cool!
:D Thanks! I do think she's very lovely.
Turns out she's the Bitey McBiterson of the snake world, though. Took her out only for a few minutes tonight and she had a couple or three goes at my hands - she's a feisty one! And she's lightning fast. Thinking something like 'Pirhana' might be more fitting for a name. ;)
I think I need to stick with it, and get her a little more used to contact - I don't think she's had much handling so far. Hopefully she'll get used to me and feel safer.
Didn't have chance to take more pics today, so I'll try and get a decent one tomorrow.
guidofatherof5
06-20-2010, 04:57 PM
Patients is key with them. You can't calm them on your time. It has to be done on their time.
Laura
06-20-2010, 11:12 PM
Had the same deal with Lola, but that was just down to the fact that the place I got her from didn't really get the chance to handle her any other time other than when they fed her. So I guess she just thought I was food :D She's never tried to bite me again since the first day I took her home though.
I have an infinite supply of patience, :D but am unsure of the best course?
What would everyone recommend? Trying to handle her a little every other day or so, or leave off the handling completely for a while?
I don't mind the biting if the best course is to get her used to being held, and on the other hand I didn't know whether it will make it more difficult the longer I leave it? Advice would be very welcome!
She's fine with my hands going into the viv so far, if a little wary, and hasn't bitten in that situation, but she did bite the guy at the store when he got her out, and he put it down to her being hungry (she has been fed since). It seems to just be when she's handled.
I absolutely do not want to do anything that will make her uncomfortable or scared, but I don't want her to be surprised and stressed out when it comes to essential handling such as cleaning the viv etc.
drache
06-21-2010, 05:43 AM
a late welcome to you, Mix
my approach has been to handle them every day long enough for them to settle down a bit (usually 5-10 minutes), and then return them to their enclosure. that tends to work pretty well. after a while they habituate
guidofatherof5
06-21-2010, 06:26 AM
I have an infinite supply of patience, :D but am unsure of the best course?
What would everyone recommend? Trying to handle her a little every other day or so, or leave off the handling completely for a while?
I don't mind the biting if the best course is to get her used to being held, and on the other hand I didn't know whether it will make it more difficult the longer I leave it? Advice would be very welcome!
She's fine with my hands going into the viv so far, if a little wary, and hasn't bitten in that situation, but she did bite the guy at the store when he got her out, and he put it down to her being hungry (she has been fed since). It seems to just be when she's handled.
I absolutely do not want to do anything that will make her uncomfortable or scared, but I don't want her to be surprised and stressed out when it comes to essential handling such as cleaning the viv etc.
I don't think you can do anything but stress and scare her in the beginning. It's a neccessary evil towards a good goal.
Rhea's advice is solid.
You might also consider this: Try put your hand in and let her come to you. She may come by you in a panic and touch you. This will show her you're not going to grab her. After this initial period she will calm down and may come out to you. They're natural curiousity will eventually take over.
You may also hold off feeding a couple of times. Then offer food by hand.
While holding the food blow air across it towards your snake. If she's hungry she will come out towards the food an probably take it. She may immediately retreat to her hide but that's OK. It's a start.
I have baited wild snakes out of their hides. Hunger is a great motivator.
You'll do fine with whatever you do and before you know it she'll be coming out to greet you and even get up in your hand.
Best of luck.
Aaah, thank you both! It's a relief to know that I'm not doing wrong.
Thank you for the great advice! I'll let you know how it goes.
I tried the hand-feeding advice this morning. I put a piece of fish on her bowl to tempt her up (which worked), then offered the second piece with my fingers. Success! She ate it right out of my hand, and wasn't jumpy or avasive. And no nips! Then I popped my (washed!) hand in a couple more times (water change and new plastic plant), and she was fine both times.
I want to give her a day to digest before I handle her, so fingers crossed for tommorow.
She's also been more active, and obliged me by posing for better photos! Here's a couple of nice ones:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1425/4723640465_523c687aac.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1136/4723650099_057f5439f1.jpg
ROAR!! :eek:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1312/4724296364_ab0705aa50.jpg
guidofatherof5
06-22-2010, 06:52 AM
That last photo is awesome. I love it when they yawn and flex their lips.
You've got a good looking little scrub there. Glad to hear things are improving. It can only get better.
Before long, she'll have you completely under her control:D
Results today!
The day after she fed from my hand, I sat with my hand dangling in the tank for a good long while. She didn't come up to me, but wasn't too jumpy, and explored around the viv lots.
Tonight, I sat with my hand in again. After a while, she started moving round the viv reeeeally fast. I thought she was getting too freaked out, but then she came up towards me onto the top platform. I picked her up, and after a few nips at my hands, she calmed down a lot! (To be fair, I think I was as nervous as she was.) Successfully held her for around 15 minutes. I think she'd have been fine for longer, but didn't want to push it - I wanted her to trust me to put her back in safe.
:D What an amazing feeling! :D
guidofatherof5
06-24-2010, 06:06 PM
Congrats. Keep up the good work. She's training you well:D
ConcinusMan
06-25-2010, 02:14 AM
it's true. What Steve said is true. If you are to be great to your garter snakes, and to be the best owner a garter can have, you must let them train YOU.
Oh, that I get!
The other day, I had my hand in the viv and she came right up to me, lay with her whole body across the edge of her shelf with her head next to my hand, and just stayed there. It was so lovely, (this might sound sappy) that I felt all teary. I had the feeling to just let her lay there like that, and not pick her up or even move. She trained me good that day!
She's actually getting used to me now - when I go near / put my hand in / take off the lid, she comes out to see what's going on instead of running (sliding?) away into a hide.
I love my snake. :D
guidofatherof5
07-13-2010, 12:48 PM
Oh, that I get!
The other day, I had my hand in the viv and she came right up to me, lay with her whole body across the edge of her shelf with her head next to my hand, and just stayed there. It was so lovely, (this might sound sappy) that I felt all teary. I had the feeling to just let her lay there like that, and not pick her up or even move. She trained me good that day!
She's actually getting used to me now - when I go near / put my hand in / take off the lid, she comes out to see what's going on instead of running (sliding?) away into a hide.
I love my snake. :D
Good for you. Keep up the great work.
infernalis
07-13-2010, 01:16 PM
I love my snake. :D
Happens to all of us sooner or later. ;)
Jlkelly88
07-28-2010, 11:04 PM
Welcome!
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