Greetings from Ohio

[gordonthegarter]

Hi, I'm Cara and today would be my second day as a garter snake owner. I've owned cats my whole life, birds for a very large chunk of it, dogs the past 8 years, and last year I finally got my first reptile - a green iguana named Iggy (short for Iguanadon)

A few years ago I tried to bring home a garter who lived in my grandma's backyard that her cat attacked and it was half paralyzed, but to no avail. Well yesterday we went on a hike (it was in the mid 50's yesterday) and while on the walk a snake darts past us on the path. I followed him and picked him up (and dropped him accidentally because he tried to bite but got him back and got him to calm down). We got some pictures of him and took him on our hike with us and along the way, bonded and ended up taking this brave little guy home.

I bought some crickets (since by the time I could get to the pet store they were closing in 10 minutes so I had to be quick!) so if he got hungry he could snack. Going to buy him some feeder minnows tomorrow and some nightcrawlers after work so he has something better to eat. He ignores his hidey log and slept using the edge of his water dish as a pillow. He was more than happy to come out and hang out with me today, and he's curled up on my chest in my shirt looking around as I type this. I love this little guy already and can't wait to find out more things about him!

I'm pretty sure it's a he after doing a lot of reading. He's skinnier, very active, and his body goes seemlessly to his tail. I'm also thinking he may be a wandering garter, but not 100% positive. My mom named him Gordon, or if he's really a she it's Gardenia.

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard.

[channa]

Welcome

[Invisible Snake]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Please take a minute to read through the forums caresheet Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet

[gregmonsta]

Greetings

[Selkielass]

Awww, he's beautiful! He looks a lot like my male Eastern garter 'Christmas'.
Night crawlers are in my experience, the best start in captivity food. Once he gets eating, safe fish, pre killed rodents, chicken bits, and almost anything else meaty will probably be eagerly accepted.
The above linked care sheet is a great starting read and welcome to the Tham-ily!

[guidofatherof5]

Hello Cara.
Welcome to the forum.
Ditch the crickets and don't feed minnows. Garters don't eat crickets(insects) and minnows as a rule carry a heavy parasite load and contain thiaminase which over a long period of time is deadly to garters. I'll give a link to the forum care sheet at the end of my post, both issues are covered there.
Looks like Ohio has 3 garter species native to the State. Butler's (Thamnophis butleri), Eastern (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) and Plains (Thamnophis radix).
Looks to me like an Eastern Garter Snake. Not sure of the sex. I'll provide a link to a thread that will help you sex your snake on your own or at least show you the type of photos to post so we can help.
Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/bree...xing-pics.html

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Welcome to the forum Cara! It looks like an eastern to me as well. As Steve already stated ditch the crickets because garters don't eat insects and even if you could entice him to eat them they can't digest the exoskeleton. Read over the caresheet and you should do just fine. That is a very nice looking snake!

[chris-uk]

Welcome aboard.

Steve has given the essential, immediate advice above.

[Foxrun402]

Welcome Cara! Your little friend looks so happy with you out exploring! haha!

Have a good look around this place it's full of good information and people willing to help you along the way! I'm almost certain that garter snake has taken to you by the look of those pictures! =)