Taming the beast

[dannijean]

Hey all you helpful herptile folks, I have a little prob I could use some advice about. My dear friends, knowing how much I adore my little Murdock, decided that she needed a friend so on a camping trip they caught a very pretty dark brown and yellow stripe with orange scales on the sides garter (ribbon?) snake and brought it back to me. I would like to keep it but it is very fiesty, musking and striking when I hold it. I understand why it's doing this I just need to know if it can eventually be tamed and what is the best way to go about that? Thanks in advance for your help!

[Spankenstyne]

Regular brief handling sessions. Make sure that it's calm before you put it back into it's home and in time you'll gain it's trust.

Please quarantine the new one. Keep it as far away from Murdock as possible, preferrably in a separate room & make sure you do any cleaning, feeding and handling of Murdock before you deal with the other one. You want to limit any exposure as much as possible for at least a couple of months (preferrably longer if possible) until you're sure the new one is healthy. In a perfect world you'd also take some stool in to have checked for parasite load but I understand that not everybody will do this so at the very least try to give it time to make sure it's eating well, is alert and active, and it's excrement at least looks normal. You don't want Murdock to catch anything the new one might have or be carrying.

Looks like a very nice Red Sided garter you have there (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis)

[guidofatherof5]

T.s.parietalis. Great snakes.
Time to learn and trust you is all your new snake needs.:)

[ConcinusMan]

It certainly looks nice and healthy.

[ssssnakeluvr]

T.s.parietalis. Great snakes.
Time to learn and trust you is all your new snake needs.:)

Hey Steve...parietalis doesn't extend to Idaho, its a t s fitchi, valley garter. :rolleyes:

they love to musk... can be flighty. got a bunch myself (expecting babies also in a month)

[guidofatherof5]

Hey Steve...parietalis doesn't extend to Idaho, its a t s fitchi, valley garter. :rolleyes:

they love to musk... can be flighty. got a bunch myself (expecting babies also in a month)


Thanks, Don.
I didn't think about the range I just looked at the snake.:)

[Snakers]

Looks like there is babies on the way!

[ConcinusMan]

Hey Steve...parietalis doesn't extend to Idaho, its a t s fitchi, valley garter.

they love to musk... can be flighty. got a bunch myself (expecting babies also in a month)

I thought something didn't look right. Of course, fitchii are variable so I didn't say anything. The fitchii that can be found about 30 miles east of me, outside of concinnus range are waayyy prettier than that one though.:p (neener neener)

Like this one:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3519/3463725553_877ceb3765.jpg


Looks like there is babies on the way!

I think so too.

[ssssnakeluvr]

I need some fitchi from there :rolleyes:

[ConcinusMan]

Some day.. perhaps. But yeah, I know what you mean. They're gorgeous.

I never took any home before because I already had my lovely loveable concinnus pair and those fitchii's were downright mean and nasty! Of course, these days that wouldn't bother me.

[dannijean]

Nolan please tell me you were talking about Don's snake when you said it looks like babies are on the way!!!! If this snake is preggers I think I'll pass out because I was thinking it might be a male from it's tail shape. When I get it settled enough to get it to hold still I'll post a pic for opinions. Thanks everyone for all of your help and advice! All y'all are great! :)

[ConcinusMan]

First impression I got from the photo was gravid female.

[Spankenstyne]

Hah somehow I got off scott free with the first bad ID lol. I keep forgetting that Idaho doesn't touch Alberta (grew up in BC and am used to Idaho being below).

Good catch there Don.

[ssssnakeluvr]

not a problem! :D I grew up in Idaho so I knew what was there. it does look like a gravid female too

[dannijean]

it does look like a gravid female too

What do you mean looks? What do you look for? While I think it would be cool on one hand, I'm a bit freaked on the other! How would I know when she was due, etc, etc. BTW she is much better about being handled today, no striking or musking, just trying to get away.

[guidofatherof5]

It's just an outward observation.
You'll really know she was gravid when you have a bunch of little scrubs running around.:D

[ConcinusMan]

First off, it's that time of year for wild garters to be very gravid and close to giving birth or just giving birth now. Second, she's got the body type for female. Third, she's rather thick in the last 1/3 of her body.

[dannijean]

You'll really know she was gravid when you have a bunch of little scrubs running around.:D

Thanks alot! :D She is finally holding still while I handle her so I have been able to get a good look and I have to agree that she's looking mighty thick around the middle! Oh well, I'll let everyone know if I end up the proud parent of a bunch of little squirmers! How soon after they are born do they get fed? I assume worms will work? I'm afraid to ask but how many babies do they have on average?

[guidofatherof5]

I start feeding on day two and everyday thereafter until they eat. Then every other day. If you have access to tiny earthworms or baby night crawler that would be great.
10-50 babies but the 50 number was only for the shock effect:D
She doesn't look that big.
Best of luck.

[dannijean]

10-50 babies but the 50 number was only for the shock effect:D

Mission accomplished!!!! :eek::eek::eek::eek:

[Mommy2many]

Don't let that Steve scare you! He has thousands of squirmers around his place! Your snake may have in the area of around 20 or so. Maybe. My girl had 11, no jellys and no stillborns. Good luck if you do end up with squiggles!!!

[guidofatherof5]

Don't let that Steve scare you! He has thousands of squirmers around his place! Your snake may have in the area of around 20 or so. Maybe. My girl had 11, no jellys and no stillborns. Good luck if you do end up with squiggles!!!

Let us see what that means.:D
All kidding aside, you'll do great with whatever it turns out to be.:)

[dannijean]

Your snake may have in the area of around 20 or so.

*wimper*

[Mommy2many]

Not so bad, all those little faces! My Mom was a WC and we weren't sure she was gravid until as Steve said, we came home to a bunch of squiggles in the tank. It's such a great experience, though I did scare the heck out of my husband by calling him up and telling him he was a grandfather! He thought I meant our 20 year old daughter was expecting!!!:eek:

[ssssnakeluvr]

I can tell by the size on the back end....swelling in the last third of the body. she will be giving birth any time now, they usually pop around july to august. she will probably have around 10-15.

[ConcinusMan]

I agree. Any day now dannijean, or should I say "mom" Don't be nervous. Just take care of the momma snake like you would any other. When the day comes, you have us to advise you. You'll love the experience, trust me.:D

There are certain preparations to make as the day approaches. Anyone else with experience want to chime in? I don't want to risk sounding like a broken record.:p

[HazAnga]

Not so bad, all those little faces! My Mom was a WC and we weren't sure she was gravid until as Steve said, we came home to a bunch of squiggles in the tank. It's such a great experience, though I did scare the heck out of my husband by calling him up and telling him he was a grandfather! He thought I meant our 20 year old daughter was expecting!!!:eek:

Lol just wait till my parents find out my 18 year old girl is pregnant, I'm 21. Lol.
And back on topic. My momma had 4. But I'm not sure that their from who I was thinking of so I could have more in a couple weeks... lol