New to snakes new to site :D

[wintern101]

Hi I have never had a snake before now but when I caught a strange baby garter snake last week I just had to keep it. I know very little about garter snakes I am here to learn about care and maybe breeding if what I found is rare. Please give me tips on how to raise my baby, and if anyone knows what is my baby snake and is it rare?

[wintern101]

Please tell me if I am caring for him right. I have him in a 10gallon tank but I will be buying a 20gallon tank for him. I am calling it a him but I don't know how to tell. He has aspen snake bedding a water bowl, basking lamp, basking rock, 3hides, and a heating pad. Also I have been misting him once a day do I have to mist him? Do I mist him more?

He has been eating fish I plan on giving him pinkys if he will eat them.

[slipknot711]

omg how cute! where r u located? ten gallon is fine for a small garter. someone will step in soon to give u the care sheet. make sure it cant escape. and make sure you have plenty of spots for it to hide. sexing.JPG this may help you sex it.

[RedSidedSPR]

that's a lot of heat for a 10 gallon, do you have a thermometer in the cage?

what kind of fish are you feeding him?

[wintern101]

No I don't have a thermometer he has been eating guppys and cut up baby bluegill. I plan buying him pinks I tried yesterday but they where out so I will try a different pet store today.

[RedSidedSPR]

No I don't have a thermometer

get one. or better yet get a temp gun.

and good job with the fish - kudos for not feeding minnows or goldfish (toxic to the snake).

[guidofatherof5]

What State are you and what county is this snake from?

[wintern101]

I live in the U.S.A. In the state of Oregon.

[guidofatherof5]

I'm thinking you have a rare albino T. ordinoides - Northwestern Garter. Did you find it? Remarkable animal. It would be great to see this gene bred. Keep that snake safe.

[chris-uk]

An albino Northwestern, not a bad catch from the wild.

Welcome to the forum. It sounds like you've avoided the common feeding mistakes, if it's taking fish you have a good start. Northwestern garters also like earthworms, but you need to avoid some species of worms which are toxic.