Hello all.

I've always been attracted to snakes, but my moms slight phobia kept me from keeping any of the ones I'd find. As I got older though she loosened up as she realized I wasn't going to stop wanting a snake. I've caught and kept snakes a few times (I know it's stressful to them now, didn't then) over the years, I've had rats, corns (sisters) browns, a hognose, earths, greens, a prairie, and some kind of nocturnal one I couldn't find on the web at the time, and of course gartars.

I haven't had a snake for a while sadly, so when I saw a Garter under the piece of tin I was moving, I couldn't help grabbing it. It's fifteen inches, I think a female, and quite calm and easy to handle. She doesn't run from me, and will come out when I'm sitting and playing computer too.

I'd like to try keeping her, and was looking for some info.

1.) First, from the pictures what gender do you all think this snake is? I REALLY want it to be a female because I like the fact that their larger. This site, Alan's Garter Snakes - Maintenance of Garter Snakes says that some people can tell visually? by it's size what age would you guess it is?

2.) I've read you can feed just mice and they'll do fine. I was planning on ordering some, but I was wondering were you all buy mice from?

3.) Can anyone tell me it's type?

4.) What, if any, snakes (beside's other garters) could I keep with her safely?