What's Your Fav' ?

[ConcinusMan]

That's good that you let her go then. I think as snake lovers we have to know when to understand that not all wild garters need rescuing...of course you guys know I am not speaking to experienced members here. But, it is difficult even for me sometimes to not take every snake I find home thinking that it would be better off at home with me.

Well said. Most cases of "rescue" are anything but. However, all the northwesterns I sent to Steve were definitely doomed. The population was clinging to existence on a small patch of habitat. It's all gone now. Got leveled by the bulldozer in the middle of winter.

I feel pretty confident that the ones I was able to save are definitely better off now.

[Finalflash50]

I have to go for the Thamnophis Sauritus. I had one years ago as a child, and I loved it. They have such clear, bright and visible stripes. They don't get too big, calling for large activity. They are a lot of fun to have... then again that's the only one I know what it's like to have up until a few weeks ago, but I've barely had this little guy for a month, yet already liking him.

But I like the T. Sauritus the best.

[zendragondrew]

I don't know what species mine is, looks to be either Thamnophis marcianus or Thamnophis sirtalis from all the pictures I've seen, but she's the only snake I've had. She will eat anything I put in her cage and never bites so I think she's pretty cool. I just got her a new substrate that is easy to dig in and now she stays underground with just her head popping out. So cute!

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[infernalis]

Looks like an Eastern to me..

[EasternGirl]

Yes...looks exactly like Selena, one of my easterns...Selena on her stick.jpg

[zendragondrew]

Thanks, that's what I thought, but wasn't sure. A lot of these species look very similar to me, I'm not very experienced at this stuff.

[EasternGirl]

Yeah...looks like both my easterns actually...

[katach]

Thanks, that's what I thought, but wasn't sure. A lot of these species look very similar to me, I'm not very experienced at this stuff.

Well you came to the right place then. You'll get there in no time with all the wonderful and knowledgeable people here.

[tress29]

A lot of these species look very similar to me, I'm not very experienced at this stuff.

Hey, I resemble that remark!

My snakes have been playing tricks on me. Today at lunch, I held the radix, the real one! The little one I played with last night wasn't the radix, but the coast! The radix is about 50% bigger/longer and much darker but both have a yellow stripe. The two smaller ones were under the hide. I ended up holding each for just a minute or so. Just want them to get used to me, and for me to get used to them!

And I don't have a favorite yet!

[ConcinusMan]

Thanks, that's what I thought, but wasn't sure. A lot of these species look very similar to me, I'm not very experienced at this stuff.

For future reference, note that checkered garters (T. marcianus) usually have a dark "collar" behind their head, and the dark blotches or squares usually touch one another. Another similar looking snake (sometimes) is the Wandering garter (T. elegans vagrans) but it's a western snake and the blotches almost always overlap the dorsal stripe a bit.

First thing you want to consider is where the snake was found. That way you can rule out snakes that do not occur where you found it.