Hi all! Some Noob Questions if I may?

[Mark Collyns]

Hey all,

last Christmas, after a long year of torturous begging by our 8 year old, we gave in and got him a ribbon snake. Actually, at first I thought it was a Garter snake, that'll tell you how much I know ;)

Anyway, he's been going great with his snake. Taking excellent care of it and his interest in it hasn't diminished over time which I feared it would. But anyway, he's starting to ask for another ribbon snake and anywhere we read there seems to be very conflicting ideas about weather or not to put other snakes in. I was wondering what the general consensus is around here?

Cheers!

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard. :)
Strictly speaking, ribbon snakes are also garter snakes, so it's not really a big mistake. :)

To answer your question: When it comes to ribbon snakes, I don't see any problems with it, provided that they are of roughly similar size and that they are either of the same species and subspecies, or of the same gender (to prevent hybrids).

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, Mark :)

[Hollis_Steed]

Mark,
Be very careful. garters/ribbons can be extremely addictive to eight year olds and other household members. As you are already learning these snakes are much like Lays Potato Chips...No one can have just one!:D Proceed with caution!
Welcome to the forum.

[drache]

welcome to the forum, Mark
other than what Stefan said, just make sure they have enough space

[guidofatherof5]

Mark,
Be very careful. garters/ribbons can be extremely addictive to eight year olds and other household members. As you are already learning these snakes are much like Lays Potato Chips...No one can have just one!:D Proceed with caution!
Welcome to the forum.

Said very well.

Nice to have you on the forum.

[infernalis]

http://www.thamfriends.com/mat.jpg

[GarterGeek]

Welcome! Keeping multiple snakes in the same aquarium shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure they are the same size and gender. :)
(This doesn't apply for all species)

[Mix]

I'm already thinknig about garter #2! Only just got #1... Addictive isn't the word! :D

[guidofatherof5]

I'm already thinknig about garter #2! Only just got #1... Addictive isn't the word! :D

Oh yeah, you've got it.:D

There are far worse things a person can be addicted to.
This addiction has benefits for everyone involved.

[Mix]

I agree. I had read posts on here about them being strangely hypnotic, and drawing you in... I loved them already, but now I really know what it feels like to be drawn in! Crafty little ones :D

[Mark Collyns]

Thanks for all the replies! :) Appreciate the help on this one. Well we gave in again and agreed he could get another snake on condition that its another male - we dont want to wake up one morning and find little eggs ;)

I was initally dead set against him ever having a snake. But it's turned out to be completely the opposite to what I'd thought. I've read a few people saying that ribbons/garters recognise their owners. is this true? my sons snake seems to recognise him and my wife. the snake is unbeliebaly docile and tame, has never bitten anyone except a few strangers who've tried to hold him. east well and seems "happy". will have to consider getting a large viv for the two. After seeing some of the fantastic set ups you guys have, it's given my son loads of ideas. :)

By the way, one question regarding feeding: we give the snake pieces of frozen fresh water fish with a sprinkeling of calcium once a month. is there anything else we can introduce into the diet for variety? I've heard about tadpoles and small live fish even worms, but I'm worried about parasites.

thanks!

[Stefan-A]

I was initally dead set against him ever having a snake. But it's turned out to be completely the opposite to what I'd thought. I've read a few people saying that ribbons/garters recognise their owners. is this true?
It probably is true. Their sense of smell should certainly be good enough to distinguish between people. Although it could also just be that other people are doing something wrong when they try to pick up the snake.

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks for all the replies! :) Appreciate the help on this one. Well we gave in again and agreed he could get another snake on condition that its another male - we dont want to wake up one morning and find little eggs ;)
By the way, one question regarding feeding: we give the snake pieces of frozen fresh water fish with a sprinkeling of calcium once a month. is there anything else we can introduce into the diet for variety? I've heard about tadpoles and small live fish even worms, but I'm worried about parasites.
thanks!

Garters and Ribbons have live born. So, waking up you find a lot of little scrubs all looking at you. Baby garter snakes are the cutest little things.
The care sheet is a good place to check into food alturnatives. Here's a link:Garter Snake Care Sheet - Caresheets (http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Garter_Snake_Care_Sheet)

It's so refreshing to hear some talk about how surprising garter snakes are. I think they are one of the best kept secrets in the animal kingdom. They are a good mix with people and are easy to care for. They are healthy and live long.
Yes, they become attached to individuals. My snakes recognize strangers in the snake room and are wary until they feel comfortable with them. I think they are also very intelligent , in their own way.

[infernalis]

Thanks for all the replies! :) Appreciate the help on this one. Well we gave in again and agreed he could get another snake on condition that its another male - we dont want to wake up one morning and find little eggs ;)

No eggs, live babies.


By the way, one question regarding feeding: we give the snake pieces of frozen fresh water fish with a sprinkeling of calcium once a month. is there anything else we can introduce into the diet for variety? I've heard about tadpoles and small live fish even worms, but I'm worried about parasites.

thanks!

Once a month is not nearly enough. The snake will starve to death slowly.
(unless I misunderstand you, and the supplemental calcium is once a month)

2-3 times each week is the norm

Frozen / thawed pinky mice have great nutritional value, Night Crawlers are also a nice treat, just not very nutritious.

[guidofatherof5]

Wayne,
I think he meant they give calcium once a month, I hope.:)

[Mark Collyns]

Wayne,
I think he meant they give calcium once a month, I hope.:)

:D yes, I meant once a month for the calcium. The snake is fed twice a week. usually only takes two biggish bits of fish and leaves the rest. that's the reason I was asking about the food varitaions. Many thyanks for all the suggestions - real helpful!


No eggs, live babies.
see, lol....not clued in at all. My son saw what i wrote and laughed his head off.


Night Crawlers are also a nice treat, just not very nutritious.

What kind of night crawlers? and should they be live?


It probably is true. Their sense of smell should certainly be good enough to distinguish between people. Although it could also just be that other people are doing something wrong when they try to pick up the snake.
Thanks for that. real interesting. i notice that if i go near the viv he darts away. I've never handled him. I'm too nervous lol.

Just one more question regarding introducing a new snake into the viv. The snake he has now seems to be quite happy to be handled. Very docile. My son takes him out a lot and it's still surprising to see him sitting watching TV or drawing with the snake just climbing all over him lol but will introducing a new snake change the behavior of the present one?

[guidofatherof5]

Just one more question regarding introducing a new snake into the viv. The snake he has now seems to be quite happy to be handled. Very docile. My son takes him out a lot and it's still surprising to see him sitting watching TV or drawing with the snake just climbing all over him lol but will introducing a new snake change the behavior of the present one?

Yes, live night crawler. Store bought or caught from a pesticide/fertilize free area. If you checked out the care sheet you'll see that not all worms are alike. Avoid red wrigglers/pan fish/trout worms. You need Canadian Night Crawlers or earth worms(small pale looking worms)

You may see a change is your current snakes attitude when a new one is introduced. Then again you may not. Be sure to observe a quarantine period(60-90 days) before you put your new snake in with your current. Not doing so can introduce disease and/or parasites into your first snake.
Having a strict quarantine period and observing it keeps all your snakes safe. It is an inconvenience but a necessary one.
Hope to see a photo soon.;)

[Mark Collyns]

Yes, live night crawler. Store bought or caught from a pesticide/fertilize free area. If you checked out the care sheet you'll see that not all worms are alike. Avoid red wrigglers/pan fish/trout worms. You need Canadian Night Crawlers or earth worms(small pale looking worms)

You may see a change is your current snakes attitude when a new one is introduced. Then again you may not. Be sure to observe a quarantine period(60-90 days) before you put your new snake in with your current. Not doing so can introduce disease and/or parasites into your first snake.
Having a strict quarantine period and observing it keeps all your snakes safe. It is an inconvenience but a necessary one.
Hope to see a photo soon.;)

cheers for all the help mate. appreciated :)

what would constitute "quarantine"? a separate viv for the new snake or?

[guidofatherof5]

cheers for all the help mate. appreciated :)

what would constitute "quarantine"? a separate viv for the new snake or?

Yes, separate from the other. Preferably not on the same table or in the same area.
Hand washing between handling. Better to go a little overboard then to not have enough precautions. It's better for all involved.

[Mommy2many]

Welcome!