puget sounds *pics*

[Tori]

Hey Rick, it has been a while. Been trying to get a new business on its feet, plus working another job and school. Hard to spend much time online right now. As you may have noticed I bought a new California red-sided. The 2 I have are related, not sure if that matters as much with snakes but I didn't want to have to worry about it. He's a very nice '03 male from Scott Felzer's stock. My female is an '05 and larger than he is already. She ought to be ready to breed next year. Should I keep you in mind when she has them? It's hard to judge his size, he wouldn't stay out of the end of the tank or go near the ruler, but he looks great to me.



Pamela

[abcat1993]

Is that a San Fran garter or just a cali red-sided? I'm guessing red sided since you live in Michigan. Either way, nice snake

[mikm]

pamela ... that's a beautiful Cali R_Side ... they're *feisty* aren't they ?? I have seen Scott's R_Side stock first hand, it was a baby and it was quite stunning to look at in person

[Cazador]

Nah Pamela... yours seems to have a lump in its mid-section. Something must be wrong with it . Actually, I would love you to keep me in mind. Please let me know when/if the young ones arrive .
Rick

[Tori]

abcat: Yes it is a cali red-sided. See what look like large red spots on his side? On a San Francisco garter that would be a solid red stripe. That is the only difference in appearance that I am aware of between them. And thanks.

mikm: Mine aren't fiesty exactly. Verrrrry healthy appetites, always hungry and pushy about being fed. But I can pick up any of them without any trouble at all and they calm down very quickly. When they strike at the glass because they see me feeding other snakes I don't take it personally. .

Rick: Hmmm....lump my foot... That's just jealousy talking. My female is about 25 inches long and has a very good girth. Do you think it would be ok to let them try this year? She is eating large fuzzies and could probably handle a small mouse, I just don't want to have to buy 2 different sizes. That many mice gets verrrrry expensive after a bit.

[Cazador]

Hi Pamela,
Your infernalis female is mature and ready to breed. Reproduction depends more on size than on age, and that's even true with a lot of mammals. Some particularily fast growing snakes have been reported to mate and deliver live young before they reached one year of age, although this isn't recommended. If they're bred too young, it can stunt their growth and they can also have a hard time in delivery. Your two-year old female is fine, though. She'll be in her prime during her third and fourth years. If you introduce the male to her enclosure, and he isn't interested, you might want to start brumating her while there's still time, though.

Robert Riches (1976) says that, "male garters normally mate when they're between 18 & 19" in length, and females between 22 & 24". Rossman et al. (1991) say that female T.s. infernalis, in particular, are sexually mature at a total length of about 24". (I'm converting SVL to total length on that last stat).

Rick

[suzoo]

Hi Tori,
I would also like to know when your babies arrive! Even if you have them all sold, I would love to see the pics of them! Your male is BEAUTIFUL!!

[Tori]

My female is identical to him only a little longer and about twice his girth. Believe me, there will be lots of pics, I'm a sucker for baby snakes. Wonder why human babies never had that affect on me? Maybe I'm abnormal....LOL.

[Odie]

That's a abbbb... abbbb.. ab-normal Tori