T. radix Ranch 2014

[wolfpacksved]

Just found a beautiful little female T. radix in my basement. She's getting some water right now.
I'll post a photo tomorrow.

do you find other species of snakes on your property? i.e., bullsnakes, racers, etc?

[guidofatherof5]

Nope, just T. radixes. I love it.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Steve wouldn't have it any other way!

Nope, just T. radixes. I love it.

[guidofatherof5]

It's early evening here at the T. radix Ranch so I decided to walk out to the shed to see if any of my wild friends were out. I checked all the hides and came up empty. While back at my shed I stopped to enjoy the moment. The birds were all settling in for the night. It was then I heard the sound of a garter snake in the leaves behind my shed. Behind my shed is a mess. I use that area to store my leftover siding from the job I completed 5 years ago and a bunch of other junk. I quietly approached the area and spotted a couple garters breeding. I rushed to the house for a camera and by the time I returned the snakes were in a more private area out of sight. From the sounds of it I should have some babies in the area in about 60 days.
Looking forward to seeing the little scrubs.

[chris-uk]

A professional Peeping Tom would have had their camera with them Steve. :-)

[guidofatherof5]

A professional Peeping Tom would have had their camera with them Steve. :-)

Then I guess I know what I am.

[chris-uk]

Then I guess I know what I am.

A mere amateur.

[guidofatherof5]

A mere amateur.

Finally, recognize for my true abilities.

[guidofatherof5]

I found this male T. radix - Plains Garter Snake under the grain shovel hide in the back yard. As you can see he needs a little help with that injured tail section. He also has a couple scars on the top of his tail along with a missing scale in his neck area. I'll treat the scale problem with some Betadine and probably let my vet. clean that dead tail piece off, looks like a lawn mower injury. That belly pattern looks familiar to me. Just like one of my males I released 2 years ago. He was very calm when I picked him up. I wonder.............

[guidofatherof5]

Decided against having the dead part of the tail removed. Mother nature has been doing a great job with the injury as there was no signs of infection. I felt there was more of a chance of infection if the injury was opened up. I treated the minor scale problem with Betadine. He had a good soaking and gave a nice poop so now he's back out under the grain shovel hide. I wish him well and hope to see him again as the season progresses.