First Snake

[Plissken]

Well, finally got my first snake. A co-worker of mine knew I was looking for a snake and found this guy while mowing his yard. I don't have any under-shots yet for sexing, but I'm assuming someone can identify the type. Name is Sage, and he/she is about a 18-24" long. I was also wondering if it is possible to ballpark a snakes age on appearance? Anyway, here are the two shots I have so far. More to come.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/248936_1927194854076_1068302758_2187839_7033533_n. jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/226602_1927194974079_1068302758_2187840_6110745_n. jpg

The pictures don't really show the color well, but most of the scales seem kinda faded, not very vibrant. Is this common with older snakes, or maybe starting a shed cycle? Thanks :)

[zooplan]

Looks like a Redsided Garter Snake T. siratlis parietalis.
Is the size measured or estimated?
If it were a little longer, I would guess to be "her", because of the stature.

[Plissken]

That is an estimated size, "she" doesn't really enjoy being handled a whole lot right now. once i get her out again i can take some better photos and hopefully take a measurement.

[guidofatherof5]

I would concur with Dr. Udo on this. Red Sided Garter(T.s.p)
I say female by the head structure.
Give her sometime to settle in. If it does hold to be a female, she is more than likely gravid as the breeding season has been in full swing in Iowa.
Keep that in mind.;)

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

if I am judging the tail properly, it looks like it could be a large male. maybe the tail is throwing it off.... but I agree, looks like a parietalis!

[ConcinusMan]

Jeez, you guys are much better at this than I am. I could barely even tell it is a garter snake, let alone what species and sex.

[Didymus20X6]

I would have figured the yellow stripe to be a give-away. But I'm not a professional, so take that with a few grains of non-iodized salt.

That enclosure sure could use some fake flowers and leaves, though.

[Didymus20X6]

That pic is kinda dark. Maybe you can see this one:
1860

[Plissken]

Thanks everyone, I'll try and get some brighter pictures up soon. Steve, I'll keep an eye out for any little crawlers in the enclosure. I also plan on getting as larger tank soon, but I'll work on getting some plants now. Again, thanks.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

oh yea, that's got to be a parietalis! it looks big... almost too big to be a male... but maybe the way the tail is bent is deceiving me!

[RedSidedSPR]

Definitely a red sided. My first (of 2) garter was a self-caught red-sided as well.

It looks to me like a female (the faces are a little bigger, wider etc.) but like Shannon said the tail looks male... hard to tell.

The easiest way to judge the age is to watch his shedding (how often he sheds). If it's once or twice a month you can assume he's with 2-4 years.

Keep us posted, good luck.

[drache]

nice find
congrats

[Plissken]

So I took a measurement today, 26". Haven't gotten any more pictures yet, need to get a a decent camera first, judging by my other pictures my phone isn't going to cut it. She seems to be calming down a bit, let me pick her up with no problems today, tried to bite my girlfriend when she came close though :P

[Sonya610]

If this is in fact a gravid female snatched out of the wild you just bit off a full mouthful of moral and intellectual responsibility. : )

[RedSidedSPR]

No kidding. You ready for this, man?

[Plissken]

Hope so, I've been reading as much as I can on here. When I looked at her today her eyes were getting cloudy and her scales are still pretty dull so I think she may be starting a shed cycle soon. Tomorrow I'm going to get a camera and I can hopefully get some more detailed pictures, snake permitting.

[RedSidedSPR]

Lookin' fo'ward to it

[Plissken]

Got a few brighter pictures, maybe they will be more conclusive. She just shed so her scales are a lot brighter now. The shed measured at 33" long.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/250889_1944028634910_1068302758_2215542_1929105_n. jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/251703_1944028914917_1068302758_2215544_4286662_n. jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/248335_1944028794914_1068302758_2215543_1152162_n. jpg

[guidofatherof5]

She's a good looking snake.

Nice water bowl. I use many of those on the Ranch.

[ConcinusMan]

Female. Great looking snake too. Seems rather thick. Gravid is a very distinct possibility.

[Plissken]

It could just be me, but I think she might be getting a bit bigger. :) Still eating strong as well.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/265052_1984109036895_1068302758_2269487_3440074_n. jpg

[guidofatherof5]

In my opinion you better get ready for babies;)
She's looking wide in all the baby places.:D
Beautiful snake.

[RedSidedSPR]

Yeah, definitely looks gravid!

She IS a beautiful snake.

[guidofatherof5]

Red Sided garters always have such a clean look to them.
They are one of my favorites.

[Plissken]

She's become quite the lovable snake. :) I've been on the look out for little ones. I'll definitely post pictures as soon as they arrive.

[RedSidedSPR]

Red Sided garters always have such a clean look to them.
They are one of my favorites.

they ARE my favorite

[guidofatherof5]

She's become quite the lovable snake. :) I've been on the look out for little ones. I'll definitely post pictures as soon as they arrive.

Get a container ready and be prepared. Heat, hide and water dish.
Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

[RedSidedSPR]

make sure ya don't OVERheat them (that is a concern right?)

I read about someone who had most of his babies die overnight, because he used the same amount of heat as with his adult female...

[ConcinusMan]

Same rules apply to babies as adults when it comes to heating. It's just that babies will perish quickly if overheated whereas an adult could tolerate it for a while and survive.

[kibakiba]

Awww she looks so cuddly.