Shunned at the Show

[Serpentine99]

I don't get what people see in garters that makes them so low compared to other snakes. Is it the general commoness of them? Is it because T.sirtalis is often a feeder snake and inexpensive? Is it because they're slightly on the smaller side compared to pythons and kings? Which one is it I must know?

[Stefan-A]

I don't get what people see in garters that makes them so low compared to other snakes. Is it the general commoness of them? Is it because T.sirtalis is often a feeder snake and inexpensive? Is it because they're slightly on the smaller side compared to pythons and kings? Which one is it I must know?

All of the above, probably.

[MasSalvaje]

I don't get what people see in garters that makes them so low compared to other snakes. Is it the general commoness of them? Is it because T.sirtalis is often a feeder snake and inexpensive? Is it because they're slightly on the smaller side compared to pythons and kings? Which one is it I must know?

I would have to say all of the above.

Unfortunately there are a lot of people that are in this hobby for what I will call the "sex appeal" factor. They are just trying to look good, or macho, or whatever the reason be, with little interest in the actual behavior and natural tendencies of the animal. Therefore they need something that is very low maintenance and impressive to show off. Garters are, for the most part, neither of the two. They are found in many yards or parks across the country, and they are not going to impress anyone by their size so the benefit of using them to show off is much less then the attention they require. It takes a genuine love and interest for the animal to keep a Garter, unlike other snakes that make it easier to look at as an accessory.

You always hear stories from people on this and other forums talk about how they loved Garters growing up and then they branched off into the "sexy" snakes, but for most they always seem to return in some degree to the Garters because of the necessary relationship involved in keeping and caring for them.

That is my opinion anyway, I am sure there are others that have their own distinct opinion on the matter.

-Thomas

[guidofatherof5]

IIt takes a genuine love and interest for the animal to keep a Garter, unlike other snakes that make it easier to look at as an accessory.

You always hear stories from people on this and other forums talk about how they loved Garters growing up and then they branched off into the "sexy" snakes, but for most they always seem to return in some degree to the Garters because of the necessary relationship involved in keeping and caring for them.

That is my opinion anyway, I am sure there are others that have their own distinct opinion on the matter.

-Thomas

I think you said it pretty well , Thomas.

It's the connection these snakes make. A personal connection. Something special that goes well beyond just keeping them. Therapeudic perhaps, in my case. I get a lot of good from them and in some way I think they do too and know it-This being my personal opinion.

[drache]

hm, yeah
I guess most garters don't stay put well enough to be of much use as a fashion accessory

[Stefan-A]

It would be interesting to hear how those other people explain it. Anybody feel like asking that question on a forum where that kind of snobbery occurs? We can always speculate, but it'd be interesting to hear it from "outsiders".

[Snaky]

I asked it once and got an answer like:
"A garter is like a shoelace and not a real snake."

I didn't bother asking this anymore after such a ridiculous answer... He was more a boa/python guy.

[drache]

the most straight forward answers I've gotten from people whom I've questioned about their disdain, usually indicate that they simply don't find them impressive enough

[Quibble]

I feel more attracted to garters then any other snake simply because many people don't appreciate them. I've never been the kind of person to go with the popular things, like iPods, fancy cars, expensive cell phones, and other stuff. I guess im one of those people that wish others would open their eyes and do something out of the ordinary, and not want things just because 'their neighbor has it'.

Its not the fact that im poor and cant afford much, (which is true) its the fact that im rebellious and like to be the different one of the crowd.

Even if and when garters become more popular, ill still be amazed by them, and ill be able to say 'I loved them before you knew how awesome they are!'

[Seere121]

I've always been interested in snakes since I was a kid. I have quite a few snakes, mostly small pythons and rat snakes, but I have a 20g long set aside in my room for my 3 garters. They are the most active snakes of all of them, and seem genuinely interested in their surroundings and they love to socialize.