New Female... and new questions...

[lauwersp]

Hi everyone...

Well... based on all of your helpful advice things are well in my home in Northern Michigan. My habitat for my male consists of a large, holey artificial rock (which he appears to really like) and Carefresh bedding and a large tupperware of water. I take him out about every second to third day to hold him and let him crawl over my hands, arms, and sometimes desk...

I'd REALLY like to get to start eating silversides which I also bought... he's too smart. I bought some fresh minnows and added a couple silversides all in his water dish. Eats all the minnows... doesn't touch the silversides...

Current plan is to let him get really hungry (2 weeks of no food) and try the silversides again. Opinions welcome.

On another note... I have a friend in lower Michigan who is deathly afraid of snakes (including garters) and has a big backyard which has generally had garters living in it. Making matters worse for her is the now vacant rental property next door. When the owner FINALLY had someone come cut the lawn, it apparently triggered a mass exodus of garters some of which went her way. Well... she found one in her house and went ballistic. She now wants to have an exterminator come to her property. Well THAT thought didn't sit well with me so I went down (and will continue to periodically do so) and saw/caught one garter in the vacant lots backyard. YAY! My first female. And she musked me RIGHT away just so I was sure.

ANYWAY... I brought her home and now have more questions.

I put her in the tank with my male. They seem more than fine together. She still generally acclimating now.

Questions...

1. I know females are more aggressive, faster to run/jump, and can musk when upset. Does this mean people in general don't typically take their females out of the tank like I'm taking my male out? Is she likely to musk a lot if I do?

2. Should I be leaving a male and female together in the same tank?

3. Can someone help with proper identification of whether she's an Eastern Garter? If not then what? She's darker than my male and she's more oily black/tan than black/yellow although her belly is pretty yellow (but only around her head).

Thanks everyone!