I would welcome input.

[kerensa]

okay, here is the question. of availible varieties of North american garters (eastern, plains and redsided etc) what would you choose to get of available varieties/morphs. why? Limitations are they must be available- nothing so rare that its a bear to get. The total should not exceede $1000. (lets face it if I can't afford it, the inputs useless)

Its become obvious to me that there are more color varieties and species available then I can afford, or really wish to have. The issue is almost all look individually interesting and pleasing.

Thanks.

[guidofatherof5]

Color morph or not I think a female T.radix is a good bet. Docile and very interactive. A very hearty and healthy snake.

I may be a bit bias though.

[kerensa]

Color morph or not I think a female T.radix is a good bet. Docile and very interactive. A very hearty and healthy snake.

I may be a bit bias though.

the plains are high on my list. I really want another snake I can hand feed. Also love some of the color choices. If I decide on them (and just them as additional) my list would look something like this:
Iowa albino pair
Iowa snow pair
Hybino pair
blizzard pair
red plains pair (really red)

and that list is likely right in the ball park of acceptable as far as numbers and cost. Then I look at other types and I I have to consider them...

(Oh the plan is to get some normal redsided. and that is almost a done deal at this point-)

[Steveo]

I think hybinos and leucistics are pretty wild. The neon blue Cali red-sideds. Pugets and melanistic Easterns too. Iowa albino plains. Albino flames.

So many to choose from! I just made a purchase and chose to spread it out amongst 7 garters from 3 different species. Rather than drop my dollars on one or two snakes, I went for quantity :P

[kerensa]

So many to choose from! I just made a purchase and chose to spread it out amongst 7 garters from 3 different species. Rather than drop my dollars on one or two snakes, I went for quantity :P

Well what did you pick?

I like the hybinos, and the leucistics. Love the blue colors. adore the reds... really think the golden plains looks interesting... lets face it the fact of the matter is picking a favorite color snake for me is sort of like picking a favorite jelly bean- there are so many wonderful choices and each one seems my favorite when I'm looking at it.

[Steveo]

Well what did you pick?

I ended up with 3 red plains, 2 pugets, 2 ery/flame x melanistic and/or snow easterns (uncertain paternity), and a female scotti was thrown in too. Went a little over budget but I feel like I have a good spread. This way I can work almost any morph into future breedings by purchasing a single animal.

[ProXimuS]

Hmm my personal wishlist currrently includes(but is not limited to):
California Red Sided (neon blue)
Puget Sound (also blue!)
Cuitzeo(sorry if that doesn't count as North American...I think they're Mexican..which should count..?)
Checkered(albino)
Eastern(leucistic flame!! just saw it and fell in love..)
Gulf Coast Ribbon(a female for my little boy)

So I guess those are just my #1 faves, that I would get if I could...but I'd take any one

[kerensa]

Hmm my personal wishlist currrently includes(but is not limited to):
California Red Sided (neon blue)
Puget Sound (also blue!)
Cuitzeo(sorry if that doesn't count as North American...I think they're Mexican..which should count..?)
Checkered(albino)
Eastern(leucistic flame!! just saw it and fell in love..)
Gulf Coast Ribbon(a female for my little boy)

So I guess those are just my #1 faves, that I would get if I could...but I'd take any one

so what do you already have? obviously they were higher on your list. I too am tempted by the puget sound. although really I'm tempted by just about every snake...

[thamneil]

I would go for a blackneck or an infernalis. They are just two very solid looking garters. Never kept either so can't really offer experience though! They are high on my wish list.

[kibakiba]

Northwestern gater snakes, and concinnus are best. I love them so much. Northwesterns are polymorphic... So they're like a box of chocolates when you breed them.