Needing some info

[Lilonee]

Hi, Im new member (1 day old) from Croatia. There is no any species of genus Thamnophis here in Europe, but Im coming this summer in Seattle to do research project on 3 species of garter snake that live in that area
So would be very grateful if you could recommend me some useful web sites with general information about Thamnophis and/or those 3 species (T. sirtalis, T. elegans, T. ordinoides).
And for my satisfaction, please recommend me some good keys for snakes and herpetology in general...
thank you...
biology student from Croatia...

[adamanteus]

Hi Petra, and welcome to the forum. I think you've found pretty much the best place on the net for information on Garter Snakes! Ask your questions, they're sure to be answered here.

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard, Petra.

If Rick (Cazador) was around right now, he might be the best qualified member to answer questions about garters in the wild, but unfortunately he's unavailable at the moment. But if you ask us, we'd be more than willing to help.

[Lilonee]

Thank you for your welcome, probably will spending a lot of time on this forum in next few months!
For now, all I need is some web sites about Thamnophis in general that I can print out. Already heard about the book - Ecology of Garter snake (40$) and I am planing 2 buy it when arrive in States.
Have 6 more days in Croatia so wanna be prepared (with at least general informations about that genus) and ready 2 start the project as soon as can.
I'll be working under Dr Marc Hayes supervision at Burke Museum in Seattle.

[adamanteus]

For a general field guide with keys, I would recommend The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. There are other works more specific to the American North West, I'll look up some titles and post them for you.

There is one piece of work that might interest you...The Garter Snakes of Western North America, by VanDenburgh and Slevin. The only problem is...it was published in 1918!!

[Lilonee]

Thank you for your time James, really appreciate that.
Im most interested in methodology and ecology of garter snake...

[Lilonee]

ohh, Ive almost forgot 2 ask! :P
Do anybody know whats the easiest way transfer snake to USA?
Milk snake, Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloe (2 years old)

[adamanteus]

Petra, This might be useful for you.
snakefinder

[drache]

Petra, hi
and welcome here
I don't think bringing a snake will be easy
I believe it involves heaps of paperwork and very high fees
it may easier to find someone to care for the snake - unless you'll be in the US for a long time

[Lilonee]

know it wont be easy, not just paperwork n fees but and quarantine... it will take a while... just wandering..