Hello from me and Rune.

[Enneirda.]

Hello all.

I've always been attracted to snakes, but my moms slight phobia kept me from keeping any of the ones I'd find. As I got older though she loosened up as she realized I wasn't going to stop wanting a snake. I've caught and kept snakes a few times (I know it's stressful to them now, didn't then) over the years, I've had rats, corns (sisters) browns, a hognose, earths, greens, a prairie, and some kind of nocturnal one I couldn't find on the web at the time, and of course gartars.

I haven't had a snake for a while sadly, so when I saw a Garter under the piece of tin I was moving, I couldn't help grabbing it. It's fifteen inches, I think a female, and quite calm and easy to handle. She doesn't run from me, and will come out when I'm sitting and playing computer too.

I'd like to try keeping her, and was looking for some info.

1.) First, from the pictures what gender do you all think this snake is? I REALLY want it to be a female because I like the fact that their larger. This site, Alan's Garter Snakes - Maintenance of Garter Snakes (http://www.gartersnake.co.uk/maintenance.htm#Sexing%20snakes) says that some people can tell visually? by it's size what age would you guess it is?

2.) I've read you can feed just mice and they'll do fine. I was planning on ordering some, but I was wondering were you all buy mice from?

3.) Can anyone tell me it's type?

4.) What, if any, snakes (beside's other garters) could I keep with her safely?

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr221/AdrienneAckley/Rune/P2230038.jpghttp://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr221/AdrienneAckley/Rune/P2230079.jpg
http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr221/AdrienneAckley/Rune/P2230015.jpghttp://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr221/AdrienneAckley/Rune/P2230188.jpg

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard.

1. No idea. Wouldn't want to guess.
2. I think you'll have to stick to fish with that one, because:
3. It's a T. proximus. Also known as western ribbon snake.
4. I wouldn't house it with non-garters. The other snakes would have to have the same requirements and be approximately the same size. Even if it's housed with other garters, they would need to be the same species.

[Reptar!]

Hello there. That is a beautiful Ribbon you have there. I can't be sure on the gender. Those are some great photos. Are you into photography?

[guidofatherof5]

Nice to have you on the forum.
I was born in Texas(Abilene).
Not used to sexing Ribbon snakes. They are such a lean species.
I think you've got a female. Here's a link that will give you an idea on sexing your snake or posting a different photo.
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/breeding/5069-sexing-pics.html

Here's a link to the care sheet which should answer many question.
Any other questions feel free to post.
Garter Snake Care Sheet - Care sheets (http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Garter_Snake_Care_Sheet)

Beautiful snake. Hope to have a few Ribbons someday.

Check out this other link also.
Western Ribbon Snake - Care sheets (http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Western_Ribbon_Snake)

[gregmonsta]

Greetings :D ... Being WC feeding rodents will take some time. Fish is your best option to begin with. Also, if you are committed to keeping this snake, you may want to consider getting some fecal samples to a local vet so you can check for parasites and start any treatments to purge these if necessary.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

For starters, try live fish. If those don't work... tadpoles or small frogs may be the only option... it depends on what that snake was eating in it's natural habitat! It is going to take a while before that snake will even think about eating a pinky. even a fish scented one. I may not ever accept them at all... depends on the snake. My red striped ribbons were eating pinky parts mixed in with their fish since they were born here...(the reason being they were masked by the smell/taste of the fish) and now they almost seem to prefer pinkies to fish! :)

[Enneirda.]

Thank you Stefan. I'm a little bummed by the western ribbon snake verdict truthfully lol. The fact that she should resist mice at first, even ever, is a problem. The price of live fish is a lot more then frozen mice. We only have a small creek a good half mile away, else it's dry and hard all around. We do have some frogs around, do you think she only eats frogs?

Yes Reptar, I love photography! My dogs are my main targets, but I'll take any animal. ;D

Thanks for the information Steve. :) Is there a point I will be able to tell the gender for sure?

Thank you Ggregmonsta!

aSnakeLovinBabe, how long did it take until your babies would eat unscented mice?



Some more pics of her!

Is there color set from birth, or could she get darker/lighter?
http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr221/AdrienneAckley/Rune/P2230139.jpg
http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr221/AdrienneAckley/Rune/P2230118.jpg
http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr221/AdrienneAckley/Rune/P2230103.jpg

[Reptar!]

That's pretty cool. I love nature photography. I just love being outside. I love when I find other photographers with other common interests.

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks for the information Steve. :) Is there a point I will be able to tell the gender for sure?

Most tail ID's are for sure with adults.
Probing is another way to be certain but tail ID can be just as accurate, in my opinion.
Then there's breeding.
I think if you post a couple good under the tail shots we should be able to gender your snake.
Love your photos.
Great looking snakes.

[drache]

welcome to the forum
very nice photos, and a lovely ribbon
it's still a small snake, so it'll grow bigger either way

[ConcinusMan]

Need to see the underside of the snake from just above the cloaca, all the way to the end of the tail. Nice gulf coast ribbon snake you have there.

[zooplan]

welcome aboard
very nice and brilliant photos,
but no chance to tell about gender

[Enneirda.]

These better?

She/he really hated keeping it's tail straight, had to entwine it from my fingers a couple hundred times lol.

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr221/AdrienneAckley/Rune/P2240064.jpghttp://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr221/AdrienneAckley/Rune/P2240056.jpg
http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr221/AdrienneAckley/Rune/P2230129.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

What a beautiful little female you have there.;)

[ConcinusMan]

I agree. It's a girl.

[Enneirda.]

Thanks guys. I'm happy now lol. :D

[Mommy2many]

Welcome!

[mustang]

Nice to have you on the forum.
I was born in Texas(Abilene).
YOU WERE BORN IN TEXAS OMG!!!!
well rune this is a fun way to introduce yourself
im Robert im 17 and was born and live in the san antonio/helotes area
WELCOME

[Enneirda.]

Thanks for the welcomes Le Ann and Robert. :D

[mustang]

What a beautiful little female you have there.;)
i thought long tail=male
and long body=female!

[guidofatherof5]

i thought long tail=male
and long body=female!

In some cases yes but in most I would have to say no. Just my opinion. I've seen it both ways on many of my radixes.

[kibakiba]

Mama's tail is longer than Snakey's tail and she's got a big belly going on. Ember, who is a male, also has a very long body, while his sister has a short pudgy body.
When you look at the tails you have to see if it tapers immediately or not, not just how long it is. Garters are (like) people, they come in many different colours, shapes and sizes and all of them are wonderful.

[ConcinusMan]

i thought long tail=male
and long body=female!

It's more about proportion. It's more about the shape and length of the tail in relation to the rest of the body.

[mustang]

It's more about proportion. It's more about the shape and length of the tail in relation to the rest of the body.
then checker better be a boy!!!!!:mad:

[ConcinusMan]

And if he's not would you love him any less?

I was very disappointed when my "Amy" (my first ever albino garter snake) turned out to be male but he's such a wonderful snake that it's difficult to be disappointed in having him. He's awesome. Love his personality and he continues to get prettier with every shed. Awesome snake to have. I can let my 6 year old (almost 7) niece hold him and he is sweet as can be even if he's warmed up to 90 degrees. He's a real sweetheart and my niece loves him to bits.

Now I have a female that is from a litter a year later than him, and she shares one parent with the much bigger boy named Amy. Well... the new girl is awesome too!

She was a bit nervous at first but she shares the same personality traits as her older brother named "Amy". They both stay hidden 99% of the time and hate bright light. They act all tough, putting on the viper impression when I roust them out of their hide to feed them; they calm right down if I pick them up; they both tend to stay put and not run, they both love to eat anything like there's no tomorrow...

They're both awesome.

[kibakiba]

I was also extremely disappointed when I found out Snakey was a boy, but who cares? I love him to pieces. He was my first ever pet that I was actually happy to take care of, and that took be 17 years to find. He was also the first reptile my mom would even allow me to have for more than 3 days. He really grew on us especially with his sweet nature.