Another pet store...

[EasternGirl]

I was just doing a search on the internet for info on albino checkereds. I just wanted to see pictures of other albinos like Hermes for color comparisons because I was wondering if he looked a little yellow to me. I just want to make sure he isn't sick or something. Anyway...I came across an ad for an online pet store selling garter snakes and in their care sheet, they said that garter snakes eat crickets. I got really upset and sent them an email telling them that this info was incorrect and dangerous. I explained why garters cannot eat insects. I invited them to check out our forum if they wanted correct info on the care of garter snakes. I told them I would be happy to recommend some books too. I was very polite. Ugh.

[chris-uk]

I was just doing a search on the internet for info on albino checkereds. I just wanted to see pictures of other albinos like Hermes for color comparisons because I was wondering if he looked a little yellow to me. I just want to make sure he isn't sick or something. Anyway...I came across an ad for an online pet store selling garter snakes and in their care sheet, they said that garter snakes eat crickets. I got really upset and sent them an email telling them that this info was incorrect and dangerous. I explained why garters cannot eat insects. I invited them to check out our forum if they wanted correct info on the care of garter snakes. I told them I would be happy to recommend some books too. I was very polite. Ugh.

Yet another shop in need of education. There's so many people who don't realise that garters aren't insect eaters. With a bit of luck the pet shop you contacted will be prompted by your email to do a little research on the animals they are selling.

[PINJOHN]

Here's hoping that Greg doesn't spot your post on another ignorant pet shop else you will hear the explosion on your side of the pond

[gregmonsta]

arwoigjaoifvjoiajioefjoijoipviovojo KDVJIOJJ skdjijjriripf KABOOM!!!! ... Fingers crossed you get a positive response

[EasternGirl]

It would be nice if they actually read my letter and listened to what I said, wouldn't it?

[aquamentus_11]

they'll switch from crickets to goldfish

[GarterGuy17]

why I think would be even worse , why do so many people think goldfish are okay ?

[aquamentus_11]

because they don't cost much and the store owners don't know any better. pet stores only need to keep them alive long enough to sell. the store by me recommended crickets and goldfish. they double teamed it and blew my mind. i think garters get dismissed as very easy to take care of, so people don't worry about researching their care.

[EasternGirl]

Well...actually crickets are worse because garter snakes cannot digest the exoskeletons of insects. The insects therefore cause intestinal blockages that can then kill the snake. So basically the pet store is telling customers to feed something to the snake that will most likely kill it if the snake eats it. Yes, goldfish are very bad too...but I believe that it takes quite a few of them to kill a garter.

Turns out...in comparison...Hermes looks a lot less yellow than many of the other albino checkereds I saw pics of. He is a very pretty color compared to other albinos I have seen. Kudos to Jason, Chondro788, for breeding such lovely albino checkereds. I guess the morph just has some yellow in it and that what I am seeing around his mouth is normal...which is good...because I love my little Hermes.

[BUSHSNAKE]

yep even albinos vary in color...when i had those(albino checkereds) i remember liking the ones with the brightest dorsal stripe...let us know how your petstore responds, i grew up with petstores and theyre a dying breed, i try to support the ones in my area