Two pregnant mommas!

[Snakers]

Ok I go to my neighbors(snake central) alot because they used to kill them but i talked them out of their ways, they don't usually kill the snakes anymore but they have me remove them, so this time i got to pregnant eastern garters! One is a green fase and the other is a rusty red color, any tips?!?!?THIS IS MY FIRST TIME WITH PREGNANT GARTERS!!!!!!!!1

[Snakers]

http://i26.tinypic.com/35mirms.jpg

[Snakers]

http://i25.tinypic.com/2j0mbn7.jpgsorry for blurry pics they were taken by a video camera

[guidofatherof5]

Get ready for babies. You're into it now.
If it were me I'd separate the two females and get them comfortable. Less stress to them and the babies. Get a couple containers ready for babies.
Now, you can keep and raise or release them when they are born.
Best of luck, keep us posted on your progress, Dad to be!

[Snakers]

thanks for the advice i think I'll release most of the babies and keep some maybe they're both in a estimated 20 gallon that i made for now but the bigger of the two is going into a big tub as soon as i get a chance to go to walmart.

[Snakers]

Il be filling out a chart and keeping you guys updated as much as i can.As of now....
Day 1:Smaller of the two has taken an earthworm 20 minutes after capture.

[guidofatherof5]

That one looks like she could go at anytime.
You better get to Walmart, NOW:D

Have a luke warm bath ready for the babies. This way that first shed will be easier for them to get off. I love helping babies with that first shed.
Watch for babies that are having trouble getting out of the egg sack.
Best of luck.

[ConcinusMan]

I might add that it's a good idea to avoid dry newsprint or similar material when expecting. It tends to suck the moisture out of the membranes and cause the babies to get stuck and die. Maintain a good humidity level and a moist hide or section of the tank for them when they arrive. An area of crumpled, WET newsprint or paper towels works well. In any case it's recommended that the babies be moved to their own container right away, to avoid problems such as getting mooshed by momma, and give them a light misting a couple of times a day.

[Snakers]

thanks for the advice.As of now both are eating night crawlers. and i just filled a hide full of wet papertowls and a little bit of moss

[ConcinusMan]

I'm sure you'll do fine.

[Snakers]

they've finally calmed down and are both hiding, when i try and feed them pinkies should i try scented pinkies first or just grab them with the tongs and wriggle them around?

[ConcinusMan]

My snakes don't care if it's dead and still. They hunt by smell and try to swallow anything that smells like food. Your results may be different.

They are easterns. Poke a hole in the skull of a pinky (till it oozes a little brain matter) , I know, gross... and see if they'll take it unscented. If they won't, you can always chop some up and mix with worms in a dish. Sometimes they'll eat it thinking it's a worm.

[Snakers]

the smaller one is much more calm and is out venturing while the bigger of the two hides in the moist hide.

[ConcinusMan]

In any case, it could take them a week or two to start eating. It doesn't mean they don't like what you're offering.

[Hollis_Steed]

With my WC's I just kept trying and eventually they got the idea. Now I can count on them eating whenever I feed. Keep trying, they'll get the hang of it!

[ConcinusMan]

Every wild snake I've ever had, once it eats and sees that I'm the one bringing the food, it's like a light bulb goes on over their heads and they suddenly get it - I'm not out to eat them, I'm out to feed them. After that, they beg when I get near the enclosure, and are curious about my every move.

[guidofatherof5]

Every wild snake I've ever had, once it eats and sees that I'm the one bringing the food, it's like a light bulb goes on over their heads and they suddenly get it - I'm not out to eat them, I'm out to feed them. After that, they beg when I get near the enclosure, and are curious about my every move.

For the most part garters are quick to trust.
That's one of the things that makes them so cool.

[ConcinusMan]

Then there's that red stripe ordinoides girl. I simply picked her up and she was cool as cucumber (figuratively speaking) from the moment we met. Sometimes she'll be basking on a piece of mopani wood and I'll just pick it up, snake and all and she won't move. I can set it in the floor while I clean her tank, or whatever I gotta do and she'll just sit there until I'm done.:D

[Snakers]

Well checked on them a few minutes ago it is now 11:21pm and they seem to be asleep, have a good night everyone.

[Snakers]

Day 2: Tried feeding them chopped up creek chubs and worms together don't know how it made out, Il have to check, The Big Girl has been drinking a lot! And the big ones name is BIG Momma and the smaller ones name is Suzy or Susan.

[Snakers]

Big momma has been move to a 50qt. tub while Suzy stays in the homemade 16 gallon.

[Snakers]

oh jeesh! two more pregnant garters showed up today!

[guidofatherof5]

Nolan,
The Snake Whisperer and gravid garter snake magnet.

Do the math, buddy.

4 gravid garter snake= 60-100(maybe more) babies. Something to think about.:eek:

[Snakers]

Yes it is something very big to think about!I was thinking maybe put the two biggest mommas in the garden and hopefully when they have babies they won't wind up in the pool!

[guidofatherof5]

Yes it is something very big to think about!I was thinking maybe put the two biggest mommas in the garden and hopefully when they have babies they won't wind up in the pool!

It may be a good idea. You have to make the call.
100 babies is a daunting task.
You'll make the right call.:)

[Snakers]

Thanks, goodnight.Dream of little scrubs.

[Snakers]

OH GOD!!!!!!BIG MOMMA HAD 17 BABIES TODAY!!!!!!!!Only one jelly bean!Most of them have their first shed off

[Mommy2many]

Congratulations!!! That is great news. Take care of Momma snake and all her little squiggles!

[guidofatherof5]

Bubble gum cigars for everyone.
Nice going Dad.
How's Mom doing?

[Snakers]

good i think i see 1more bulge left.....I'll check tomorrow, goodnight

[guidofatherof5]

Sometimes they look like they may have more but it's just some final contracts doing a final push to clean things out.
Personally I hope she has more.:D

[Snakers]

K i got up this morning and found another one so i think im at 18 or 19 and i picked out my "keeper" right now her name is Greeny because she is one of the greenest babies I've ever seen

[kibakiba]

Can we see some pictures of the new little ones? I'd love to see the little green baby!

[Snakers]

sure!

[Snakers]

I gave the mom three pinkies! After that i figured she was fine and she went in my garden.Most of the babies are eating chopped up night crawlers.All of the babies will be released accept two.

[guidofatherof5]

Super job, Nolan.
How about a few pictures of the 2 hold backs.

[Snakers]

Once i get the time il be sure to post pics.

[kibakiba]

I can't wait! I love seeing pictures of baby garter snakes :)

[ConcinusMan]

O RLY?

http://a.imageshack.us/img641/5144/femalebabynormal9inches.jpg
:D:D:D

[kibakiba]

Haha, awww cute. I wish Run would sit in my hand like that. He's ALL over the place when I handle him. If I had my had open like that with him on it, he'd take every chance to fly out of my hand :P

[ConcinusMan]

Haha, awww cute. I wish Run would sit in my hand like that. He's ALL over the place when I handle him. If I had my had open like that with him on it, he'd take every chance to fly out of my hand :P

Well, the fact that it was first thing in the morning and the snake was about 68 degrees F (felt slightly cool in my hand) helps. ;)

[kibakiba]

Ahh, I guess it doesn't help that Runt has a continuous heat source that keeps him very warm and he likes to lay in my arms to warm up when I hold him ;) I'm not up in the morning much, I stay up 'til 3AM :P

[ConcinusMan]

Some people might not agree with me but I would recommend at least 4-5 hours of cooling time at night (at least a 10 degree drop) for any snake that is not sick or very small or weak. Make sure it's regular, as in same time every night. I don't recommend constant warm temperatures for a healthy snake. It's not natural, and may do more harm than good.

I work 2-10pm or 3-11pm so yeah, I stay up 'till 3am sometimes too. My bedtime is a good time to have the timer turn off all heat. Temperature drops to around 70. Morning comes for them around 9am and they can warm up slowly to 80-85 again.

Don't forget that even during the day, the enclosure should have a temperature gradient. Say, 80-90 in one end, 70-75 on the cool end where the water dish should be.;)

If you can create conditions where the basking area is 20 degrees warmer (no higher than 90) and the cool end is 70-75, that is ideal. At night, all is cool at 68-70 for a few hours.

[kibakiba]

I have half of it on a heating pad set on high (it's not very hot, though) and at night it gets extremely cold here, I'm in the mountains a bit :) But I put it on medium at night. Usually he's burrowed under his newspaper bedding on the warmer side in the morning and on the cooler side during the day. On hot days it's off, since it's really hot and we have no air conditioning. I'd say on a cool day the warm side is around 85, at night it all depends on how cold. No lower than 65, though. I'd give him a basking lamp like my other snakes, but he's in a plastic container right now until I can afford a tank for Snakey and Mama. He'd get the 20 gallon one and the light so he could have the warm and cool side better :)

[Snakers]

And the moment you have all been waiting for *drum role*http://i33.tinypic.com/24x1enp.jpg
http://i37.tinypic.com/11cbjlz.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/23wmd82.jpg

[Snakers]

http://i38.tinypic.com/68fr0i.jpgCan you spot the hidden scrub???

[Snakers]

These were the babies from the biggest momma and unfortunately I didn't to get pics of the hold backs because as soon as I took these pics my camera died

[drache]

lovely bunch

[Snakers]

oh I forgot to say is no one new, these are being released in these pics

[guidofatherof5]

Nice job, Nolan.

[kibakiba]

Great looking babies!

[Snakers]

Thanks, ok the last mom gave birth to 3 big healthy babies which unfortunately i didn't get pictures as my camera is now charging all released. The reason I didn't release the moms in the first place was because the garden is right next to the pool, and i commonly put chlorine in it and i didnt want to find 50 dead baby snakes in the pool one day. So they babies were released into a better place and the adults into the garden. I got four holdbacks of this year 1stripeless, 1green, and two that are esepcianally lighter.

[guidofatherof5]

Well then, may I suggest you get that battery charged and get on with it!
Looking forward to seeing some pictures. Please.

[Snakers]

Well then, may I suggest you get that battery charged and get on with it!
Looking forward to seeing some pictures. Please.
AHAHa sure thing, steve its the least I could do for all the baby pics you gave us!

[Snakers]

http://i37.tinypic.com/ip41h0.jpg
http://i33.tinypic.com/ftjask.jpg
http://i37.tinypic.com/ei8oi8.jpg
The babies were hiding, so i didn't want to disturb them that much but i did get some pics of my stripe less eastern holdback, Gloria

[Dameco13]

wow shes a beauty. I love checkereds they are so unique, original, and eye catching.

[guidofatherof5]

wow shes a beauty. I love checkereds they are so unique, original, and eye catching.

You are right, they are great garter snakes.

[Snakers]

wow shes a beauty. I love checkereds they are so unique, original, and eye catching.
This is no checkered garter snake (Thamnophis marcianus) this is an eastern garter snake(Thamnophis.sirtalis.sirtalis) confused extremely often though.

[Snakers]

You are right, they are great garter snakes.
Ok Steve here ya go its what you wanted:p

[Dameco13]

sorry i just saw the checkered pattern.

[Snakers]

sorry i just saw the checkered pattern.
oh lol yes whe does have that distinct checkered pattern, when she has babies they will be free to good home:)

[guidofatherof5]

oh lol yes whe does have that distinct checkered pattern, when she has babies they will be free to good home:)

May I suggest a possible trade? You need a radix or two and I would like to have a few more Checkereds.
What do you think?

[Snakers]

May I suggest a possible trade? You need a radix or two and I would like to have a few more Checkereds.
What do you think?
Um are you kidding on the checkereds thing?These are easterns, but I can't tell if your serious or not:confused:but in two years when i try my first breeding with captive snakes i'd be glad to give you some free babies!

[guidofatherof5]

Sorry. My mistake, I meant Easterns and I would be glad to send a few radixes your way even now(cooler weather of course)

[Snakers]

Sorry. My mistake, I meant Easterns and I would be glad to send a few radixes your way even now(cooler weather of course)
Has it been hot in your area now?

[guidofatherof5]

A heat index of 115 today!:mad:

[Snakers]

A heat index of 115 today!:mad:
:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:............Ok now im feeling a little colder

[Snakers]

Now is my stripeless considered a morph or just a regular eastern without a back stripe?

[Snakers]

update:all have been eating, leaving with full tummies accept one who just rubs against the worms(she is not the stripe less). Now time to switch the snakes over to other foods ugh(the hard part)

[Jlkelly88]

I dont have any tips for you but I just wanted to say congrats!

[Snakers]

I dont have any tips for you but I just wanted to say congrats!
thank you

[ConcinusMan]

Now is my stripeless considered a morph or just a regular eastern without a back stripe?

Not really a morph. It's a polymorphic trait. Kinda like my 3 stripe concinnus. Same thing. A single stripe mother can give birth to both types, and visa-versa. Yes, easterns and concinnus can be polymorphic too. It's not just a T. ordinoides thing. Different patterns and colors all within the same population or litter, regardless of what the parents look like.

Congrats on the babies!

[Snakers]

update: Little one is eating!That means they all are feeding on worms!

[Snakers]

Not really a morph. It's a polymorphic trait. Kinda like my 3 stripe concinnus. Same thing. A single stripe mother can give birth to both types, and visa-versa. Yes, easterns and concinnus can be polymorphic too. It's not just a T. ordinoides thing. Different patterns and colors all within the same population or litter, regardless of what the parents look like.

Congrats on the babies!
Thank you, AND CONGRATZ ON YOUR BABIES!