Could I introduce a companion?

[Light of Dae]

Op just realized your current male probably isn't a baby. For some reason I assumed he was. I think you want to buy another animal that is somewhat close to the same size as your male if you want to house them together right away.

After a minimum 60day quarantine, then Right after that.


Have you read the Care Sheet for garters yet?
Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet

[EasternGirl]

What is a TSI...is that a T.s.sirtalis? Sorry, I've never seen that abbreviation before. Like others said...you should stick to putting snakes of the same sex together. I am taking care of 4 babies right now and it takes up a lot of my time...with just 4! Garters can have litters of up to 40 babies.

Chantel...I think you should call my ex and give him the condom/abortion speech! Lol...someone needs to get through to the idiot before he has 10 unwanted children roaming around. Ha ha. I totally agree with what you said though.

[Sonya610]

After a minimum 60day quarantine, then Right after that.

Many do think that is a best practice. I just purchased an adolescent albino flame female from Tom, she arrived yesterday and went right in with my concinnus female, however I bought her from a very reputable breeder who provides healthy animals that he himself has bred/raised (second purchase from him and very very pleased).

I would worry about the health of a pet store/dealer animal, the pet store nearby is selling off baby albino's for $40 a piece, if I had gone that route (cheap/quick/unknown) yes a quarantine would have been in order. Needless to say the pet store animal would have been MUCH cheaper, heck the shipping alone cost me $60 but oh so worth it!

Your point is well taken though, and something the op needs to think about.

[Sonya610]

Actually in hindsight the pet store animal would have cost me more than $40 seeing as how I don't have extra set-ups. I would have had to buy a tank, lighting, heating, cage decorations, etc....for a 2 month quarantine. Not to hijack the thread but here is a pic that doesn't do her justice...her color is quite beautiful. Click to expand.

Albino Flame 2.jpg

[ProXimuS]

What is a TSI...is that a T.s.sirtalis? Sorry, I've never seen that abbreviation before. Like others said...you should stick to putting snakes of the same sex together. I am taking care of 4 babies right now and it takes up a lot of my time...with just 4! Garters can have litters of up to 40 babies.

I do believe she meant Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis. Different abbreviation I guess

Sonya, what kind is she? Is she an infernalis? She looks different to me, veeeery beautiful though!

[Sonya610]

I believe she is sirtalis. Eastern flame? I don't do well with the Latin names. Will say she has a firey temper though, if the concinnus touches her there is high drama and tail flailing, that and she drew blood (from me, not the concinnus) yesterday when I moved her back to the enclosure after feeding her. She has a faint checkered pattern that doesn't show up well due to my old camera (the newer one bought to photograph the snakes now has a "lens error").

[d_virginiana]

I believe she is sirtalis. Eastern flame?

I believe the only species with albino flames is eastern. Could be totally wrong though. Completely random, but yours may be from the same litter as my albino baby; I think he was from the litter that had a 50% chance of being albino flames.