New with some questions!

[ShadyLady]

Hello all I stumbled onto this forum a while back while I was doing some research into Garters looked around but just recently joined because I have a new addition. Here is where the questions start!

On a walk with a friend (mind you the ground was frozen and it was snowing) we were taking our dogs on a walk through a local nature park we were almost back to the car when we notice a little difference in the ground coloring and quickly realize it's a snake! I freak because the dogs are running around and have ran over where he was sitting several times not to mention it's below freezing and snowing (though it was sunny and warm the day before) I quickly scoop up the little guy who can barely move at this point and we bring him home where I carefully warm him up. I have him set up temporarily in a tank that used to house one of my Ball Pythons but other than what I read a few years ago when I found another garter I don't know how to best care for him so hope you guys can help me out. I have looked into the basics but any additional suggestions would be great. Also I don't know what exactly he is (pic below) so help in that department would be great also.

Ok figure that is long enough of an intro thanks in advance for any help!


Link to a bigger version http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/...1d94ac86_b.jpg

I can post more if needed also, thanks!

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard. That's a nice looking garter indeed.

We'll be happy to help out with any specific issues. You say you already have looked into the basics, but here's our basic care sheet anyway: http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets...ake_Care_Sheet

[ShadyLady]

Thank you very much! Any clue as to what he is exactly?

[Stefan-A]

Not at this moment, no. At this time, I'm leaning towards Thamnophis atratus. Let's see what the other users think.

[drache]

welcome to the forum
that is a very nice looking garter
it looks like an atratus to me also andd I am quite envious

[ShadyLady]

That is what I was thinking too, however, I thought they were more south of me. I'm in northern Oregon up by WA and I thought they were mainly a Mid California type... thought I definitely could be mistaken lol

Thanks!

[drache]

I wasn't sure of their range either, so I looked here
snakefinder

[ShadyLady]

Awesome thanks for the help! I didn't think they came up this far thanks for the link that, obviously, helped a lot!

[Sid]

Welcome to a great forum.

[adamanteus]

Looks like Thamnophis ordinoides to me. Is there any orange speckling underneath?