Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Hi, I'm New Here!
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    3
    Country: United States

    Question striped keelback or garter?

    I am VERY new to snakes...
    This is my second snake, we'll not talk about what happened to the first one. I hope to have more success with this guy and am excited about him or her. I went to petco and bought a "garter snake", it had no scientific name or common name for the species. I'm now trying to find out what species it is, and I no longer think it's even a garter. silly petco

    It looks exactly like the "striped keelback" in this thread
    http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/gene...to-thread.html

    http://i44.tinypic.com/30vkhft.jpg
    he's 20 inches long, not a whole lot thicker than a pencil. He's got thick black stripes down the sides and one thinner one on top, the rest of the top is brown. The bottom has a really striking, bold pattern of black and white stripes. He's a very good lookin' snake

    I'm concerned that I researched garters and got a different kind of snake. He spends a lot of time climbing and being in the branches, like an arboreal species. I've had him for just 3 days, and he drinks from his water bowl, but doesn't hang out in it like I thought a garter would.
    What do you think? If he's a keelback, what are the differences in care? He's VERY nice and chill, and I hold him a lot, like people say garters are.

  2. #2
    Forum Moderator Stefan-A's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Southern Finland
    Posts
    12,389
    Country: Finland

    Re: striped keelback or garter?

    Welcome aboard.

    As you undoubtedly have noticed, we've had a few members here with Xenochrophis species (Xenochrophis vittatus and Xenochrophis piscator melanzostus) and there have been a few threads about them. You might want to check out that second species as well, because they too are striped. http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/gene...0-help-id.html

    There's not a whole lot of information about their care, but unlike most garters, they are a tropical species, which might mean that they require slightly higher temperatures and higher humidity. Apart from that, they are fairly similar. Brumation probably needs to be handled differently.

    Garters don't necessarily hang out in the water bowl, either, only a handful of species are even semi-aquatic.

  3. #3
    Ophiuchus rhea drache's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Eastern US
    Posts
    8,129
    Country: Germany

    Re: striped keelback or garter?

    welcome to the forum
    that does look like a xenochrophis vittatus - striped keelback or indonesian garter
    I kept mine exactly like garters and they did fine
    rhea
    "you cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus" Mark Twain


  4. #4
    Forum Moderator infernalis's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Upstate NY
    Posts
    7,920
    Country: United States

    Re: striped keelback or garter?

    Nice looking Keelback.



    One thing to note, These are almost certainly wild caught, and many are infected with parasites.

    If you can swing it, take a poo sample to a vet and have it checked for worms and such.

    Welcome to the forum, and here's wishing you success with your new friend.

  5. #5
    T. radix Ranch guidofatherof5's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    C.B,Iowa(radixville)
    Posts
    23,452
    Country: United States

    Re: striped keelback or garter?

    Great having you on the forum. Their care and welfare is the top concern for the forum members. Many caring people here to assist. Welcome.
    Steve
    5 awesome kids!
    Emmy, Kale, Molly, Gabby, Hailee
    They are not just snakes. They're garter snakes.
    http://www.youtube.com/user/thamnophis14?feature=mhee

  6. #6
    Reptile Lady reptile3's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Northern Georgia
    Posts
    1,432
    Country: United States

    Re: striped keelback or garter?

    Welcome back...
    Stephanie




  7. #7
    Hi, I'm New Here!
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    3
    Country: United States

    Re: striped keelback or garter?

    thanks everyone! I work at a vet, I'll bring in a fecal sample today. Would a fecal sample cover any parasites I would need to worry about? Also, what's the best way to deworm a snake?
    can I assume it's an adult?


    edited:
    I got him wednesday, offered him thawed pinky friday and he ignored it. I waited until today, then put another in there, with a hole in it's head, and he's leaving it alone too. The store said they definitely fed them frozen pinkies. Should I try scenting it with fish or something? The kid at the store might have been wrong...or he's just not hungry? Can I scent a pinky with tuna juice?
    Last edited by Skittles; 01-04-2009 at 02:40 PM.

  8. #8
    Forum Moderator Stefan-A's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Southern Finland
    Posts
    12,389
    Country: Finland

    Re: striped keelback or garter?

    I think you'll have better luck with fish. If that's not an option, you can try scenting the pinkies.

  9. #9
    Ophiuchus rhea drache's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Eastern US
    Posts
    8,129
    Country: Germany

    Re: striped keelback or garter?

    I'd say two days is not quite enough to have him settle in and worry about food already
    leave the poor dude alone for a few days - then offer him the pinky nicely warmed up in a place with some privacy
    just because he didn't take them this time, doesn't mean he won't
    and yes - they do tend to carry parasites
    rhea
    "you cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus" Mark Twain


  10. #10
    Forum Moderator aSnakeLovinBabe's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    4,162
    Country: United States

    Re: striped keelback or garter?

    thats a nice vittatus you have there! My female unexpectedly passed away a while back and I wish I could find more..... a couple tips... they really like fish and fish scented pinkies work fantastically, if it won't eat fish for you try a frog leg, and watch where you put your fingers because these snakes are rear fanged and you *could* have a negative reaction should you get bit. They get especially feisty at feeding time. They are incredibly great looking snakes though and I hope all goes well!!

    If anyone knows where I may find keelbacks of any species let me know!!!
    Mother of many snakes and a beautiful baby girl! I am also a polymer clay artist!


Similar Threads

  1. blue striped garter
    By yellowfoot23 in forum For Sale/Trade/Adoption
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 04-03-2011, 12:48 PM
  2. blue striped garter
    By yellowfoot23 in forum For Sale/Trade/Adoption
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11-05-2010, 01:02 PM
  3. Red striped baby Garter snake?
    By Thunder.x.Tiger in forum General Talk
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 09-22-2009, 08:20 PM
  4. Striped Keelback/ "Indonesian Garters"
    By Brunok9 in forum The Garter Snake Lounge
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 04-09-2009, 05:14 PM
  5. Two-striped Garter Snake
    By Boots in forum Wiki Discussions
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 01-28-2007, 11:38 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •