Butler's (T. Butleri) on the Ranch

[guidofatherof5]

This morning I drove to the Omaha airport and picked up a box containing my first Butler's garter snakes.
These are some awesome looking snakes. I love the wide lateral strips. Their small heads remind me of Northwesterns.
The only adult in the group is Scarlet, she has already eaten.
All of them are settling in and are a great addition to the Ranch.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//741/medium/butlers.jpg http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//741/medium/butler1.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//741/medium/butler3.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//741/medium/butler2.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

I really like those guys. Those are great lookin' ones Steve. Congrats.

[dsmdavid22]

Nice to hear.I was lucky enough to grab one on my daily walk bout 5 months ago.The snake was about 2.5 ft., the biggest snake I'd ever held by about 2 feet.And on the way home I thought she was kinda thick and thought 2 myself " I bet she's pregnant ". One month later ,after finally settling in abit (feeding , etc.)I identified her as a Butlers Garter and I live in T.O.,I'm not supposed to keep her.I realized that I couldn't really enjoy the snake the way I wanted to so---------------I went out and bought a baby checkered Garter and I was just like a little kid.One week later after coming home , I was checking the snakes as I always do.Oh I forgot to tell U that I'm a Hypochondriac, and I saw a little snake in with my Butlers' , so I ask myself ? did I put her in the wrong cage ? Am I seeing things ? Well holy -uck there were babies popping up out of the dirt like tulips ! What a crazy Day 12 little ones ! This is the longest I 've ever written online so I'm gonna just let you know that Momma & babies were released into a beautiful little area that is actually a snapping turtle Habitat. They should be ok.I found momma on Eglinton Ave. West just B4 Black Creek Blvd.TTC & Metrolinx have trashed the entire area so I'm really glad I found her .
Sincerely ,David

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks for sharing David.
I'm looking forward to learning from this new species.

Off the topic, does this snapping turtle habitat have a name?

[guidofatherof5]

Here's another photo of the adult female Scarlet.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//741/medium/butler4.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Butler's Garter Snake - Caresheets (http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Butler's_Garter_Snake)

[d_virginiana]

They're really good looking, congrats! It's good to see some appreciation for the less well-known species like butler's and NWs.

[katach]

Those are awesome! Congrats Steve!!

[dieselbaby]

Congrats on your new additions Steve, they look awesome.

[PINJOHN]

Nice to hear.I was lucky enough to grab one on my daily walk bout 5 months ago.The snake was about 2.5 ft., the biggest snake I'd ever held by about 2 feet.And on the way home I thought she was kinda thick and thought 2 myself " I bet she's pregnant ". One month later ,after finally settling in abit (feeding , etc.)I identified her as a Butlers Garter and I live in T.O.,I'm not supposed to keep her.I realized that I couldn't really enjoy the snake the way I wanted to so---------------I went out and bought a baby checkered Garter and I was just like a little kid.One week later after coming home , I was checking the snakes as I always do.Oh I forgot to tell U that I'm a Hypochondriac, and I saw a little snake in with my Butlers' , so I ask myself ? did I put her in the wrong cage ? Am I seeing things ? Well holy -uck there were babies popping up out of the dirt like tulips ! What a crazy Day 12 little ones ! This is the longest I 've ever written online so I'm gonna just let you know that Momma & babies were released into a beautiful little area that is actually a snapping turtle Habitat. They should be ok.I found momma on Eglinton Ave. West just B4 Black Creek Blvd.TTC & Metrolinx have trashed the entire area so I'm really glad I found her .
Sincerely ,David
enjoyed your story David i hope you will keep us all updated on your checkered and perhaps a few photo's

Steve those look like interesting snakes i have made a mental note to look up butler's later, something is telling me that they are a little bit of a specialist snake, but i may be confusing them with a different garter either way the best of luck with them, another step on your road to you playing host to all of the garter snakes many varieties

[Chondro788]

Very cool!! I can't keep them, they are state endangered... but they sure are cool. :)

[Selkielass]

Update please!
Not sure when I'll get to the library again, but I'd love to hear how they are growing for you.
Of the three little ones I kept back, two are approaching pencilsized, But the little escape artist who was living in the drains beneath my basement floor is still only about half their size and still skittish about eating.

Of the Butlers I've kept, Scarlet is at the top of my 'easy feeder' list. I hope she passes that quality along to any young 'uns she may someday have for you.

[guidofatherof5]

I'll work on that update soon.

[EasternGirl]

Congrats on your new additions to the ranch, Steve! Lovely snakes you have there...

[guidofatherof5]

Not the best photos but here you go.
Most of these beauties were up in the vines and refused to come down.
As soon as I walked away they would hang down, grab a piece of food and retreat back to the vines.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//748/medium/butlers8.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//748/medium/butlers9.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//748/medium/butlers7.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//748/medium/butlers6.jpg

[EasternGirl]

Very nice!

[kibakiba]

They're bat snakes! They like to hang in vines.. Or... Hmmm... Monkey snakes! :D

[guidofatherof5]

The Butler's (T.butleri) continue to grow. Tonight, Scarlet allowed me to hand fed her.
The little ones are still a bit nervous but are all eating.
Beautiful snakes. I'm fortunate to have them here on the Ranch.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//748/medium/butlers10.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//748/medium/butlers11.jpg

[EasternGirl]

So pretty! Glad they are doing well.

[BUSHSNAKE]

awesome butleri Steve....butleri rule!

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks Marnie and Joe. They are beautiful.
I'll have a couple of them ready for you Joe come Spring. Along with some nice radixes.

[guidofatherof5]

Here's the only baby that was down. All the others were hiding in the vines.
They are a beautiful snake. I'm lucky to have some on the Ranch.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//748/medium/baby_Butler.jpg

[Selkielass]

That redbelly looks a lot like Trax! Highly arboreal is a good discription of this population. Can you tellif yougot a decent number of males? Only one of the little ones I kept is looking like a male & ihave yet to catch a wild male.

[guidofatherof5]

That redbelly looks a lot like Trax! Highly arboreal is a good discription of this population. Can you tellif yougot a decent number of males? Only one of the little ones I kept is looking like a male & ihave yet to catch a wild male.

Haven't tried to sex them yet.
Going to let them put on some size first.

[Selkielass]

I just hope its a good mix. I was hoping Micro would be a male, but s/he is looking more and more like a female. Topper is probably a male, but Trixie looks very female.

I am concerned that this population may be being affected by sewer runoff and psuedoestregen contamination. While clean living should self correct this in future generations, I'm hoping you've got at least a few males to work with in this batch.

[PINJOHN]

Have just finished reading Ellen's [Selkielass] report on butlers over in the albino butlers thread and she has given them a marvelous reference, so much so that not only have they gone on my wanted list but they are very close to the top, if i cant get my hands on some over here, then they will be among the hoard coming back with me on my visit stateside in 2013

[guidofatherof5]

Hey John,
I'll let you take some photos of mine.:D

[Selkielass]

Have just finished reading Ellen's [Selkielass] report on butlers over in the albino butlers thread and she has given them a marvelous reference, so much so that not only have they gone on my wanted list but they are very close to the top, if i cant get my hands on some over here, then they will be among the hoard coming back with me on my visit stateside in 2013

Let me know if you'd like me to start watching for individuals from area to broaden your gene pool base. Steves group are closely related to mine, and I may find more next summer or be presented with more by Trax or Sañg if Topper is precocious.
I'd be glad to work with anyone here who wants to work on maintaining a healthy captive raised p9ulation of these sweet little garters where we can still do so legally. They are too good an ambassador snake to allow them to fall into the same legal crevice as the SanFranciscos.. sovisible yet so out of reach to so many of us.

[guidofatherof5]

Unfortunately one of my baby Butler's passed "failure to thrive" She just never got to be an aggressive eater like the others.

[EasternGirl]

So sorry to hear that, Steve. Rest in peace, little one.

[Selkielass]

Sorry to hear that. I'm still working hard to get Micro to eat. s/he will eat if separated from the others for a few hours, but is very easily spooked by cagemates. Coyple days ago I had to assist Mike with a shed that *might* have been a double retained. Not sure.
The Moist hide seems to be helping, but the tinier they are the more sensitive to low humitity they seem to be.
With the moist hide avail, their color has all improved.

[Selkielass]

Points for comparison;
Micro 2.9grams
Tipsy 7.9g
Topper11.2g
Trax (adult female) 38.7g

Weighed on a digital sçale reading. 1to 1000g by tenths/g.
Juveniles have all shedwithin 2 weeks. Adult is in blue.

[guidofatherof5]

That is a micro. Best of luck.

[Selkielass]

You got a few minutes to spare this a.m.
may I call? Or would later be better?

[guidofatherof5]

Call me at 712-322-2953 Now is fine.

[BUSHSNAKE]

Steve, heres a fresh picture of mine...still one of my favs

[guidofatherof5]

Very nice. They are a sweet snake.

[RicMartin]

They are beautiful. Congrats!

[guidofatherof5]

My adult T.butleri (Butler's Garter Snake) just shed and is looking good.
I love her grey/white dorsal stripe and the golden lateral stripe.
Butler's are awesome.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//741/medium/butleri.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//741/medium/butleri1.jpg

[thamneil]

Lookin good Steve!

[Invisible Snake]

She looks great! I had no idea you had butlers on the ranch. Is she considered a "normal" looking butleri?

[guidofatherof5]

She looks great! I had no idea you had butlers on the ranch. Is she considered a "normal" looking butleri?

I would say Yes.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Very nice.Another species that I wish I could have :)

[ProXimuS]

She is so pretty! I really like her dorsal stripe too. Nice color scheme on her;)

[Selkielass]

Ohhh, she is looking fine!
How are your temps for shipping? Mine are finally dropping toward the 70's.
Rooster should make some pretty scrubs with her. (Will post pics when I can hit a hotspot.)

[guidofatherof5]

Today has been a good day. Retirement check showed up in my checking account and I paid all my bills.
Better then that a package arrived with this awesome adult male T.butleri (Butler's Garter Snake). Thanks Ellen. I now have an adult pair.
Let the breeding begin.(after quarantine and a little brumation that is):D

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//748/medium/tbutlerimale.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//748/medium/tbutlerimale1.jpg

[CrazyHedgehog]

retirement!! whoooo hoooo!!!
lovelly looking snake!

[Selkielass]

Yay! I'm so glad he arrived safely!
I hope he and Scarlet prove a good pairing.

[ProXimuS]

OO He's pretty! He looks kinda grumpy in the last pic though:p

[guidofatherof5]

The new male is eating good and seems to be settling in nicely.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Wow they look stunning.Just like ordinoides with their cute little head:cool: Do they have the same preference for worms and slugs?

[guidofatherof5]

Worms or far.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

She has to be the nicest looking butleri that i have ever seen.you are such a lucky guy to have her.

my adult t.butleri (butler's garter snake) just shed and is looking good.
I love her grey/white dorsal stripe and the golden lateral stripe.
Butler's are awesome.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//741/medium/butleri.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//741/medium/butleri1.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Thank you.

[guidofatherof5]

I found this old thread that has a beautiful T.butleri in it. Here's a link.
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/general-talk/5405-gimpie-goober.html

[Spankenstyne]

Very nice! Unfortunately I believe they're prohibited Canada-wide for us Canucks. For sure a no-no in Alberta but I've been told they're one of the few federally protected.

[guidofatherof5]

I think they have a rather small range in Canada but are still protected.

[Selkielass]

Wow, that Gopher is even redder than my Trax.
Butlerii are protected throughout their range, nut in Michigan they are abundant and an individual may gather 5 garters snakes with a hunting/ fishing license.

The adults are friendly, calm and get along great in classrooms.
Younger (captive born) snakes. Have been, so far, somewhat distressingly delicate outside their native range.

I hope with the help of Steve and others I have gifted with Butlers that we can figure out their quirks.

[ProXimuS]

Wow that "Gimpie Goober" snake is really pretty! The reddish brown on the underneath reminds me of like shoe leather:p

[guidofatherof5]

The new male is doing well. Eating everything and every time I offer. Looks like he is settling nicely.

[Selkielass]

Wonderful!
I'm so glad he has traveled well.