T. ordinoides on the Ranch

[d_virginiana]

Very cute little snakes Glad to hear they're eating and doing well. The mother is gorgeous too!

[Mommy2many]

Congratulations on the new scrubs!

[guidofatherof5]

This wonderful little Northwestern just finished its first earthworm.
One of its siblings downed a slug also.
I'm glad these little ones were born at this time of the years as earthworms and slugs are available.
By the time Winter hits they should be on night crawler chunks and pinky parts.

[kibakiba]

Wow he's a cutie!

[Mommy2many]

Aaawww!

[guidofatherof5]

I can't say the news is good on the baby front. I've lost two of the little scrubs since they were born.
"Failure to thrive" They just won't start eating, no matter what I offer.
A couple are eating good on earthworms and slugs and a couple more are still not eating.
The adults are doing very well and thriving.

[ConcinusMan]

There's not much you can do beyond what you have already done. Northwesterns have evolved with short seasons and usually are forced to brumate within 1-2 mos of birth where these would have been born. But unlike most neonate garters, these babies can survive near-freezing temps with fewer losses. In spite of their small litters and short active season, they are the most common reptile in their range!

It's really very "lucky" that the adults have done as well as they have. Count that as a blessing.

People often ask why northwestern's are underapreciated in the hobby / captive trade. Why there aren't more people working with them. Why there aren't more available. A few years of working with them will answer those questions.

They are obviously well adapted to survival within their range, in spite of small litter sizes.

count your blessings that the adults are surviving in captivity at all.

[guidofatherof5]

I just put my last baby Northwestern(T.ordinoides) down(failure to thrive). I wasn't able to save any of the 6 born.
There were times they would eat but then refused all attempt at food. I tried everything I could think of but it was not to be.
What a sad ending to a first on the Ranch.

[katach]

So sorry Steve. That is very sad.

[Mommy2many]

So sorry to hear that. They were so pretty. I hate it when babies don't make it.