Hi from Austin, Tx

[guidofatherof5]

Nice baby checkered garter! They are one of my favorites, you can get nightcrawlers from the sporting section of Walmarts. Bite size, about the size of her head.Its great that she is eating, small portions every day or every other day. I wouldn't worry about over feeding they grow very quickly.

Be sure not to buy Panfish worms, only night crawlers. Panfish/redworm/compost worms are toxic to garter snakes.

[chris-uk]

Attachment 8380we found him cleaning the pool

Sounds like he will be a good addition, if he was cleaning the pool when you found him that's one job you won't have to do.

Welcome aboard, Nessie looks like a good looking checkered garter. The sort of size he is I think it's likely he was born last year. Give him plenty of hiding places in his enclosure and don't handle too much while he's settling, but the fact he's eaten some fish for you is a good sign.

[Lowfur]

Thanks! We are very excited to have him join us, and I love having a new project to research. This site has already had so much information to offer, and is extremely resourceful. We were able to dig up some local earthworms after a thunderstorm last night, would those be ok to feed? He seems very comfortable in his hidey-rocks, and loves to soak, I am still working on trying to get a good under tail shot, but based on the sexing photos that guidofatherof5 posted I'm thinking it might be a girl.

[Foxrun402]

Welcome! Nessi looks awesome! I cant wait to see him/her growing! Mine was about that big when I got her and she grew fast! night-crawlers and Pinky parts are good source of nutrition along with the feeder guppies! when Nessi gets older since he/she can already fish you could upgrade to Zebra Danios for a bigger size of fish. they don't contain thiaminase but make sure if you get them they aren't tanked with another species of fish. =) Glad you fond this place, take lots of pictures! =D

-Jonathan

[acovert]

What a beautiful checkered. Congrats on your find!

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks! We are very excited to have him join us, and I love having a new project to research. This site has already had so much information to offer, and is extremely resourceful. We were able to dig up some local earthworms after a thunderstorm last night, would those be ok to feed? He seems very comfortable in his hidey-rocks, and loves to soak, I am still working on trying to get a good under tail shot, but based on the sexing photos that guidofatherof5 posted I'm thinking it might be a girl.

As long as the soil is chemical-free(herbicide/pesticide)

[Sherrie]

Hi Lauren, Welcome! I'm from the Austin area as well. My son has an Albino Checkered. We just got him/her last fall. Still not sure on the sex, lol. He was about 8 inches long when we got him and he's about 17 inches now. We have really enjoyed him and I am seriously thinking of getting another one or two.

[gibble888]

So cute!!