Steveo's Garters

[Steveo]

I recieved a brief reply today, basically copy/pasting the "4 per species per year / 12 in possession in aggregate" part of the regulations. Said nothing pertaining to importing. I've replied asking how the limit of 12 would apply to captive breeding... I could theoretically exceed that limit just by picking up a gravid female... the Wandering female I picked up last year had something in the teens, but all but 4 were stillborn.

It appears that these native garter species are exempt from the "no gift" rule, so I do at least have that outlet.

The wording of the email also made me question whether the aggregate is 12 total across all native species, or 12 per species. My interpretation was the former, but now I'm not sure. If it's 12 per species, I could manage a breeding program as long as I can find homes for enough scrubs to stay under the limit. I have a feeling I could find enough homes for them out of state :P

I get the feeling that the guy answering the questions isn't as familiar with the regulations as I am. Between my interests in falconry and herps, I've gone over most of the chapters at least a dozen times.

[Steveo]

Some new pictures with a cheap point-and-shoot I picked up:

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[Steveo]

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[Steveo]

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[guidofatherof5]

Cheap camera still = beautiful snakes.

[Steveo]

No reply from Parks and Wildlife yet. In the meantime, I've started to strip down the guppy tank. My original plan was to sell it and see if I could break even on it, but now I'm thinking it could be a garter tank. It's a 30 gallon hex on a nice stand and since I'm only getting one scrub this year, I'm thinking she can go in there so she doesn't get trampled.

[Jeff B]

Looks like that Puget has some good blue color, nice one

[ConcinusMan]

I'm thinking she can go in there so she doesn't get trampled.

Ya know something, I'm not so sure there's a significant risk of that, not that it couldn't happen. I have a very young (still baby-sized really) garter in with several others including a couple that are 24-26 inch adults and baby doesn't seem to get pushed around or laid on/trampled. Even the full weight of a 3 ft female on top isn't very likely to hurt him. Now, if I was using a liner or other object the baby could get pinned under, that's different. If one of the big guys tries to lay on the baby he just moves out of the way or wiggles free and there's plenty of room for all of them.

[Steveo]

Given the layer of carefresh, you're probably right, but having her in her own space will make things easier for me. The yearlings are eating every 5-7 days and I don't want to disturb them every 2-3 days to fish out the new one for a meal. I try to disturb them as little as possible, especially since one of them has become a bit bitey.

[Steveo]

Looks like that Puget has some good blue color, nice one

Thanks, Jeff! I'm hoping the girl I get for him this year is just as nice.