Jon's Garter Snake Thread ( Suzi )

[Sonya610]

Everything I know about caring for her I have gathered from you guys, and this community. If not for all of you I'm not sure how it all would have turned out. Thank you all for being here is all I can really say to that! I really appreciate how we are all somewhat "thamily" =)

I read your first post...unless I missed something I gather Suzi was wild caught by you or a friend?

If that is the case I would say she is also very very fortunate that you took the time to research and find the forum! I am no expert on Thamnophis....I joined the forum 2 years ago when i decided I wanted to learn about keeping the little angels and also find breeders. I wish more folks that find/catch wild garters would do what you did and research care.

[Foxrun402]

I didn't have much knowledge about them except I knew that they where a friendly species of snake and harmless to us basically. Anyone I hear about that gets scared of a Garter is just silly. When I was in South Dakota fishing, my buddie noticed her and pointed her out but I didn't see her until I decided to go wander around away from the river. I was walking around in sand similar to a desert style climate without the temperatures to match it due to winter being so close. Most Garters with any common sense would be back and forth from a hibernaculum to keep warm and only while its warm outside. It was cold! and there she was trying to escape my footsteps thunder attempting to climb stairs she couldn't reach the top of the first step!

I picked her up very careful knowing she must just be a baby, or very close to one! She was about 6-7 inches long when found wandering about!
Everything I have read has lead me to believe CB snakes are mostly in much better health then a WC snake from the get go. Fortunately for her I gave her a pretty badass house based of the knowledge you guys have provided here and anytime I have a problem or something odd/new happens, I express it with all of you before anyone else in the world knows about it!

I'm just happy she is doing well in captive life and has adapted so well! I owe it all to you guys! Thanks!

[Foxrun402]

She has done her job!
This is when I saw her after I got home fishing the other night! Peeking around her tree spying on me, but she looked good!


Discovered this inside her tree... It was all twisted together and mangled but I managed to get it all undone and it was a nice complete shed. Nose to tail tip.


So then I had to take her out for a little bit.

[Lowfur]

She looks beautiful! I love how their color pops out after they have a good shed! My Nessie gets really green! (T.Marcianus)

[guidofatherof5]

Suzi is looking good. Does she ever go outside?
Some natural lighting photos would be great.

[Foxrun402]

No, she hasn't been outside much but I can definatly make arrangements for that! She just ate today so here within the next few days I'll set up her photobooth outside for some nice natural light photos!

[guidofatherof5]

Looking forward to it. Thanks.

[ConcinusMan]

Everything I have read has lead me to believe CB snakes are mostly in much better health then a WC snake from the get go.

Sorry that your reading misled you. It's just not that simple.

[Foxrun402]

Sorry that your reading misled you. It's just not that simple.

Yes, but considering a snake that has been treated for parasites/worms gives birth its possibly less likely the babies will be as bad or worse then before treatment of the mother. in theory anyway

I guess it is also possible they are in worse shape as well but would think from a snake that has had proper vet visit's would produce healthier young, guess this is all still just based on chance though.

[guidofatherof5]

It's a two sided coin and both sides hold advantages over the other. Both sides also have disadvantages.
I guess in many cases it boils down to which is stronger, the advantages or disadvantages.
Just my opinion.