Good morning! I am new here; I recently purchased three Indonesian garter snakes from a reputable online source. I was surprised that received two fairly young snakes and a mature female (nearly two feet). I am certainly not complaining, but I was not prepared for raising an adult as of yet. I was planning on feeding the snakes insects and small minnows from my pond; looks like I've got to purchase some pinkies right now as well! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I have two ponds in my backyard stocked with bullfrogs (nature stocked them for me; I didn't choose the bullfrogs, but I like them!) and I have a land tortoise, two red sliders and firebellied toads in an aquarium in the house.
Oh, and two wirehaired dachshunds! Can't forget the dogs! LOL!
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Thread: Hello!!
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08-07-2009, 05:45 AM #1Hi, I'm New Here!
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Hello!!
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08-07-2009, 06:09 AM #2Forum Moderator
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Re: Hello!!
Welcome aboard.
As far as the diet goes, to my knowledge they aren't insectivores, so don't bother feeding them insects. Minnows might not be the ideal fish, as they are likely to contain thiaminase, an enzyme that over time can cause neurological disorders and death. Most people here use salmon or tilapia, with added multivitamin supplements.
Another thing I'd like to point out, is that the so-called Indonesian garters aren't true garters, they are a species called Striped Keelback (Xenochrophis vittatus). They are rear-fanged and apparently only very mildly venomous. These snakes appear to usually be wildcaught in poor condition with significant parasite problems and most seem to do very poorly. However, most specimens with these problems come through some of the larger pet store chains. We have a number of threads about this species, as well as the stores that sell them, so I recommend searching through them.
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08-07-2009, 06:21 AM #3Hi, I'm New Here!
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Re: Hello!!
Thank you, Stefan! I have read that they differ from our garter snakes and heard they are short-lived. These are captive bred and are beauiful and healthy...I didn't purchase them through a pet store. I am going to do my best to give them a great home and lots of TLC!!! Any help from others on this type of snake is greatly appreciated : )
maxmommy ( mother, grandmother, owner of a redfoot tortoise, 2 red-eared sliders, 20 firebellied toads, 3 indonesian garters and four Great Plains toads...oh, and two doxies!)
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08-07-2009, 06:32 AM #4matris ut plures
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Re: Hello!!
Welcome to the forum!
Le Ann
"Research shows that if you're afraid of spiders, you are more likely to find one in your bedroom. I'm really afraid of Johnny Depp."
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08-07-2009, 07:46 AM #5Domos Ophiusa
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Re: Hello!!
Greetings
Keeping - 'Florida blue' sirtalis, concinnus, infernalis, parietalis, radix, marcianus and ocellatus.
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08-07-2009, 08:51 AM #6T. radix Ranch
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Re: Hello!!
Nice to have you with the forum. Would love to see some pictures.
Steve
5 awesome kids!
Emmy, Kale, Molly, Gabby, Hailee
They are not just snakes. They're garter snakes.
http://www.youtube.com/user/thamnophis14?feature=mhee
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08-07-2009, 09:42 AM #7Snake Charmer
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Re: Hello!!
o let me guess reptilesncritters.com!!!! welcome!!
ROBERT The Reptilian Teen
"growing old is mandatory
growing up is optional "
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08-07-2009, 11:58 AM #8"PM Boots For Custom Title"
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Re: Hello!!
Welcome, welcome!
LeAnn
"The early bird catches the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese."
"Jokes are for kids, but puns are for the grown."
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08-07-2009, 05:21 PM #9Ophiuchus rhea
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- Eastern US
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Re: Hello!!
welcome to the forum
rhea
"you cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus" Mark Twain
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08-07-2009, 06:31 PM #10Hi, I'm New Here!
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- Aug 2009
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- Roseville, CA
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Re: Hello!! Thanks For the WELCOME!!!
OMG! I haven't had such a warm welcome from a forum like this EVER!!! You guys are GREAT!!!
As a matter of fact, yes, I DID get my babies from Reptilesncritters. I have always had luck with them, and the animals have been very healthy.
Now, I am REALLY confused about something. If these so-called "Indonesian Garter Snakes" don't fair very well in captivity (OR IN THE WILD???) why are they selling them? They are obviously docile, beautiful and easy to handle...why then the short life span? I cannot bear to lose my pets; I, like many of you folks, get attached very easily to my babies, and I am just devastated when they succumb to something and I'm left in the dark.
If any of you have had good luck with them, PLEASE let me know what I need to do to keep them alive! Thanks in advance
maxmommy ( mother, grandmother, owner of a redfoot tortoise, 2 red-eared sliders, 20 firebellied toads, 3 indonesian garters and four Great Plains toads...oh, and two doxies!)
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