Too breed or not to breed

[drache]

frankly, Steve - I don't think the snake cares either way, and I do think that the survival rate is probably greater at your house than in the wild
you seem to be having a bit of a radix population explosion at your house, and not to go all Mao on you, but I personally have chosen to exert some influence over my snakes' reproductive behaviour - the only influence I've got: gender separation
my reasoning is this:
none of my snakes' offspring will ever be released, and Brooklyn real estate limits how many I can keep
I want all of the babies to find good homes, and the garter world is not that big
for you space is not an issue though, so you've got more choices

[guidofatherof5]

frankly, Steve - I don't think the snake cares either way, and I do think that the survival rate is probably greater at your house than in the wild
you seem to be having a bit of a radix population explosion at your house, and not to go all Mao on you, but I personally have chosen to exert some influence over my snakes' reproductive behaviour - the only influence I've got: gender separation
my reasoning is this:
none of my snakes' offspring will ever be released, and Brooklyn real estate limits how many I can keep
I want all of the babies to find good homes, and the garter world is not that big
for you space is not an issue though, so you've got more choices

I know what you're saying. I had planned on 3 births on the ranch this year. I got those 3. I never expected to take in 12 gravid females. 10 of them were delivered to me or I had to go rescue from certain death. The other 2 were from my yard.
The rescues and deliveries were all word of mouth. I've done nothing to advertise the fact that I take in wayward garter snakes. I can't imagine what that would be like.
I hope not to repeat a year like this but will not turn any calls or deliveries away. This year has been an exhausting experience but also a valuable one. I have learned more about my snakes than I ever have. I can't attribute it all to the large amount of snakes I care for but also to this forum and its members.

[Mommy2many]

All of those snakes are lucky to have the T. Radix Ranch available to them. Now there are that many more that will survive. Great job Steve on taking in the homeless, wayward and injured! Can't wait to see some of them next spring!