Newbie found gravid(?) garter

[patcuz]

Greetings to All-

My yorkies found a very large, fat garter this past weekend. They molested it pretty good before I could scoop her up. I released the snake in my garden, away from any predators. I'm in CT, and Saturday was rather chilly. I was quite surprised when I found her all curled up under a shrub a good 6 hrs later- I anticipated she would have found a proper home by then. So, went up in the attic & I got a tank set-up w/ heat rock and some feeder goldfish, as I thought perhaps she was gravid & needed an appropriate setting to have her babies. She is quite happy in this situation right now- but could someone please give me guidance? If she is released again- would it be a reasonable expectation that I haven't disrupted anything? I'm not too crazy about keeping a snake on my kitchen counter, but I'm trying to do the most humane thing. Obviously I will need to post a photo in order to get any educated opinions about her gravid status. How long before she pops these guys out and I can send her & the babies on their merry way?
I am not a "snake" person, but my son was as a youth. He had garters, boas, etc- so I'm not completely ignorant. But, he never bred.
Thanks in advance for any input!
-Patti

[guidofatherof5]

Nice to have you with us. Great save! and you say you're not a snake person You haven't disrupted anything. Was the snake injured by the dog? If it warms up you should be able to just release it. It made it this far and should do very well on its own. Post a photo if you can.
Watch the heat rock. Snakes get burns from those.
Depending on how long you think you'll be keeping her you might want to dig a few worm for her rather than feed her goldfish. Goldfish are not good for Garters. Take a look at the care sheet on the home page of the forum.
I hope I've been helpful.
Once again, Welcome.

[gregmonsta]

Welcome ... and yeah ... definately forget about goldfish.

[drache]

welcome to the forum, Patti
I second Wayne's advice

[patcuz]

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone. OK- I'll nix the goldfish, but she didn't like the worm I dug up. I'll figure something out. I will amend her tank setup per the "care of" guide. Now, I just have to figure out how to upload a picture!

[Snake lover 3-25]

nice save! welcome to the forum!

[patcuz]

OK- Bear with me, guys- I THINK I figured out the picture thing...I'm not as computer saavy as I thought I was.
Your opinion if I've got a preggers, please!

I tried picking her up, and she was very skittish. So, I tried taking the photos through the tank.

[patcuz]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!
I will amend the tank setup & feeding per the "Care Guide"
I've attached some photos,(I hope! Geez, what a project...don't know how you guys have such beautiful pictures)

Looking forward to your opinions-

Patti

[jitami]

Welcome Thanks for saving her. I would guess that she is gravid, and like others have said, she'll be ok released once it warms up a bit.

[k2l3d4]

ok.... my amatuer opinion is that she is gravid.... second,,, not all garters like worms..... my checkereds wont touch them... I use warmed up pinkies.... warm them and put them on a plate. Both my checkereds like to eat off of a plate.