ovulating or gravid

[philippe]

Hey everyone I'm new to the forum and have been keeping garter snakes ever
Since I was a kid. Now I am curious about two things first of all how can you tell
If a female is simply ovulating or if the eggs are fertilized and that she is going to
Give birth. I palpated my two females and can feel over 15 bumps in both of them
The bumps are fairly large but I cannot get any pics. Is it possible to get any info
On how to tell if they are indeed gravid and also if it is possible to tell around when
They will give birth
Also what do you guys do with the babies?

Thanks a lot
Philippe

[guidofatherof5]

Welcome to the forum. You're keeping Garter snakes since you were a kid is the same for a lot of us. They have a power over us.
Where your females with males? If so did you see copulation? Keeping weekly weights on them may show increases due to egg developement. A fairly steady weight my indicate eggs only.
I had some female drop jellies and I didn't even know they were carrying them. Gestation can be up to 120 days. I've never had any go past 100 days and average 90 days. All my experience is with T.radix. I hope some of this helps.

[adamanteus]

Hi Phillipe, and welcome to the forum.

[philippe]

Yes both my females were with males but I did not observe copulation. Unfortunately I
Do not have my scale with me and cannot weigh them. However I can very well feel over
12 fairly sized bumps in both the snakes. Is there an egg size reference that can indicate roughly where in the gestation period the female is located?
I am prepared to care for the young but probably do not have enough room for all of them.
What do you guys do with all the babies once they are born? Is there a good enough market
To be able to sell them? Do you guys sell to pet shops?
Any other info about gestation, caring for young, and the garter snake market is greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Philippe

[philippe]

No one ? I need to know so I can be prepared for the babies

Thank you
Philippe

[drache]

nobody knows for sure how long exactly the gestation period is in theory it's 90-120 days, but some people here have waited longer it seems
last exposure to a male is no indication either, since they can store sperm
babies can go into a 10G tank until they get bigger
I offer my babies size appropriate pinky strips, salmon and trout strips, silversides - all frozen/thawed, and nightcrawlers/earthworms, either small or cut up
no idea about the garter trade in Canada
oh - and welcome to the forum, Philippe

[Didymus20X6]

You're keeping Garter snakes since you were a kid is the same for a lot of us. They have a power over us.

[Philminator]

Hello Philippe welcome to the site my name is also Philippe

[Mommy2many]

Welcome to the forum! My W/C Eastern had 10 little ones. I have found a home for 2 but I may just keep the other 8 cause I like to spoil them and they are so darn cute!

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, Philippe