Ribbon on the Ranch

[Selkielass]

Yeah but that's a garter snake. You're looking for a ribbon snake. Hee hee.

I know!!
When I first joined this forum, I saw many more ribbon snakes in stores and shows than garters.
Now im seeing checkered, 'northwesterns' that look like Butlerii, Puget of all colors, and occasionally red elders and chicagos. (Or so they claim.)
The ribbons have disappeared. Foo.

[guidofatherof5]

Shyblue came out to get some turkey heart and ended up in a shed box. She isn't very happy at this point.

[guidofatherof5]

The shed is done now. Before I put her back she gave me a nice load of musk on my arm. She's such a sweet girl.

[guidofatherof5]

For the last couple months I've noticed Shyblue was getting a little chunky. Today she looked much thinner and I saw why.
It's a shame she wasn't able to produce any babies this year but it's good to know she is able. I hope to get a male someday and produce some nice Ribbons.

[NickB]

Steve do you find hand feeding makes them more confident? And how did you get yours to accept food from your hands, I've tried it a few times with my Natrix maura (viperines) and had no luck. They readily accept food from tongs though.

[guidofatherof5]

Steve do you find hand feeding makes them more confident? And how did you get yours to accept food from your hands, I've tried it a few times with my Natrix maura (viperines) and had no luck. They readily accept food from tongs though.

My success in hand feeding her is very, very limited and to be honest I don't even attempt it anymore. I love Shyblue but she is what she is and that is a flighty ribbon snake. It is less stressful for her to take food off my long tongs. I know she will never be like my female radixes and I accept that. I think most ribbon snakes are wired to be flighty.
She will come and visit me at the screen but that's as good as it gets. Once the screen is removed she keeps her distance.

[Foxrun402]

She is still a very beautiful snake. Suzi is somewhat the same way... she will check me out until I remove the screen... Then she goes into terminator mode until I pick her up or she gets food... (watch your fingers) lol

[jwolfe152]

For the last couple months I've noticed Shyblue was getting a little chunky. Today she looked much thinner and I saw why.
It's a shame she wasn't able to produce any babies this year but it's good to know she is able. I hope to get a male someday and produce some nice Ribbons.

ok how can you tell what that is i saw some similar colored stuff from ekoh the first week i got her but there was much less that that but it was the same color

[guidofatherof5]

ok how can you tell what that is i saw some similar colored stuff from ekoh the first week i got her but there was much less that that but it was the same color

I've kept garters long enough to recognize unfertilized eggs/slugs. Most of these have been smeared around by the heavy body girls in that enclosure but two of the ova are clearly visible. They come out looking yellowish in color and as time goes by they turn more amber. At least that's been my experience.

[jwolfe152]

wow i really wish i would have looked closer when i seen that, for all i know she could have been gravid. but with what ive heard about her size i doubt she is actually big enough to have babies which is why it was only a small lump but it was very close in color and i had yet to feed her at that point