Suggestions need for a suitable garter

[frogsnbugs]

Hi: I'm new on here, and have Madacascar Giant Green Day Geckos, a Tiger Salamander and a few small tree frogs( wild caught from our front yard, before they got run over with the Lawnmower) But I have a Question, My grandson 15, has wanted a snake for quite awhile, but after going to the Reptile Show/Sale, he didn't want a big snake at all. I would be helping him and since I'm scared of snakes WE BOTH want the SMALLEST gentle, snake we can find, That's why I am looking on here about Garter snakes, as we thought about an Albino Checkered Garter snake. Is there anything SMALLER out there that is Gentle, easy to handle and feeds well? This is a first for us, so we want to do a lot of looking and asking. We are NOT interested in a CORN snake, sorry! Any Ideas from you people that KNOW about the various kinds of SMALL snakes, would be much appreciatted. Thank You.

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard.

How gentle and easy to handle the snake is, is going to be individual, although some garters have a better reputation than others. Not many garters are significantly smaller than the checkered, especially not among the ones that are common in the pet trade.

[adamanteus]

If you have made up your mind that it is to be a Garter you're getting, then a Checkered is probably a good choice. As Stefan says, the demeanor of the snake cannot be guaranteed, they are all individuals, but Checkereds are generally placcid and easy to handle. They're usually good feeders too. Although I would personally recommend a 'normal' rather than an albino..... albinos are not as robust.

[Garter_Gertie]

Puget Sound Garters. They're not that small as far as garters go, there are smaller, but they are highly active without being bitey, interested in their surroundings and will eat you out of house and home.

[gregmonsta]

My male red-sided is quite teeny but very robust and 100% inquisitive. If you wish them to stay small (ie just over 2') then stick with a male

[infernalis]

This may be out of line, but may I suggest a Dekayi...

Small, easy, worm eater. (18 inches is big for them)

Not the most exciting color wise, but great little handling snakes.