Garter for me

[mtolypetsupply]

Bakewell, I'd stay away from the WC for my first snake. I don't see a location for you in your avatar, but I'm sure you'll be able to find a reputable breeder from which to get a captive bred and born snake.

I find that radix are a very nice snake, too. However, my sirtalis sirtalis, Eastern Garters, are sweet little puppy dogs unless VERY hungry, or gravid. Pugets (T. pickeringii) are fine too, as is my Santa Cruz (atratus atratus), my Oregon Red-Spotteds (T. concinnus) and my checkereds (marcianus). The only ones that I personally own and find to be feisty are the infernalis (california red-sided). All of them seem to calm down with more handling, and even my feisty Cali's settle down after a few minutes of being held.

However, each snake is different and has their own personality. I'm sure there are some super sweet infernalis out there, and some really cranky radix, too!

For a first snake, my opinion is that the biggest issue is that it be an EASY feeder. Any snake feeding well on frozen fish filet would be a winner in my book, as well as anything readily eating frozen mouse pinks or other frozen rodents. I say this because I have a tough feeder that took forever to switch to frozen thawed meals. It was a pain in the butt to feed him. I had to run to a pet store to get guppies, once or twice a week, 40 min round trip if there was NO traffic. Not THAT big of a deal but I have like a ZILLION other things to do and frozen salmon and pinkies at home! Now he eats frozen salmon, which is such a blessing, 1 minute round trip to the freezer and chopping the salmon another 10 to let it thaw, I'm 29 minutes ahead of the game and not a slave to the pet store business hours!

Consider your budget and start looking at pictures of snakes. Find one in your budget that you like the look of, and see if there are some for sale, and inquire to the breeder.

Best of luck finding your new baby!

[drache]

Stephi said it all

[Mommy2many]

I have W/C Easterns and a litter of babies from one of them that are now 11 months old. Easterns are great snakes (no offense, Steve)! My W/C's took to eating anything I offered and the squiggles have adopted the same diet as they have grown.

They are very curious snakes and will take a great interest in you. You may get tagged as one forum member mentioned if they are hungry or gravid, which just comes with the territory. You have to become a member of that elite club

Any snake you choose will be awesome! Where are you located? There are many reputable breeders on this forum all over the US and other countries as well.

Good luck and Welcome!

[guidofatherof5]

[QUOTE=Mommy2many;134862]I have W/C Easterns and a litter of babies from one of them that are now 11 months old. Easterns are great snakes (no offense, Steve)! 1QUOTE]


Never any offense taken. I just happen to live in the center of the radix universe.
I have been assimilated in their collective. There was never any resistance.
Now, I speak for the Queen radix.

[infernalis]

Someone has watched a little too much Star Trek...

[ssssnakeluvr]

Shall we call him Locutus of Radix??

[guidofatherof5]

Shall we call him Locutus of Radix??

I like that.

[Bakewell]

Sorry I should of let you know I'm in the UK I am currently trying to find someone who is breeding these snakes.

[Laura]

Lol good luck! It's always a struggle to get garters over here, however I've seen loaaaads of checkereds/albino checkereds about, just not much else besides that :P

Where abouts in the UK are you?

[Bakewell]

Down in Wiltshire Laura, it is hard to source them here but I will find one that suits im sure.