Spouse has been talking about garters recently

[Coluber42]

So, here's the story. I used to have a corn snake, which I bought with my allowance as a teenager, and which died last year at the age of 19. My better half (who'd lived with my snake for over a decade too) had also gotten pretty attached to that little guy, so we were both pretty upset when he slithered off to the happy rodent burrow in the sky. We got a ball python, because I'd also had one years ago (actually even before the corn, but the BP died when I was in college), etc. We adore our BP, but I think my spouse kinda misses how the more diurnal and more visually-oriented corn snake was always popping out to take an interest in the world outside in a way that the ball python doesn't.

Anyway, recently Spouse has been dropping hints about wanting another snake, and has brought up garters and hognoses. I think a certain amount of the thinking (aside from them being adorable and cool) is that they are more active and diurnal, plus they are small enough that even a proportionally large and well-appointed enclosure isn't gigantic.

While I'm mostly of the "yay! more snakes!" opinion, I have to admit that I'm slightly intimidated by a garter snake's more varied dietary needs (whatever else you want to say about rodent diets, they're simple and convenient and I've been in the habit of providing them since I was 13) and by the musking, although neither of those things is a deal breaker! But all else being equal, a species that's more likely to be inquisitive than shy or defensive would be preferable.

So I don't know what we'll end up deciding on, and I'm sure that any other snake(s) we get will make us happy. But in the meantime, I want to learn all I can about garters!

[guidofatherof5]

Glad you came to the page. Musking usually stops after they become comfortable in their new home. I'd suggest getting a female as they are much more open to handling than most males. I may be just a little bias but may I suggest a female T. radix - Plains Garter Snake. They are tops in my book. I'll link you to the page care sheet. Ask any questions you might have.
Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet

[Eddie]

Try out a captive bred garter. You will not be disappointed

[Zdravko092368]

Female checkered, eastern or Radix are your best bet for being tame and laid back. Very active snakes, they will almost always be out basking or cruising around as long as temps are right.

I have eastern and checkered garter adults who I can pet on the face without a reaction and don't even know how to get them to musk since no matter how long they are handled they never have. I raised these snakes from babies though and hand fed them.

Also garters can be fed a pure rodent diet, all of mine are on only rodents, occasionally I will go outside on a rainy night and collect a couple dozen nightcrawlers to give to them as treats.