In need of some help

[srockbubbles]

Ok so since she is a Eastern Garter snake, do I still try feeding her the slugs as well as the earthworms or do I get rid of the slugs and stay with fish and nightcrawlers? Right now I don't have her tank with a light nor heat but is that something I ought to do or beings she is inside I can regulate that with the light in the room as well as the thermostat in the room. I have her in a spare bedroom right now where no one goes into hoping that if we leave her alone she will start eating and becoming more comfortable. I kind of feel bad because I thought she was a Brown Snake and was trying to keep her cooler rather then warmer. I hope I didn't mess her up. I have grown really attached to her and don't want to see anything happen to her.

[guidofatherof5]

I've got a message into Peter Mirick(508-389-6300) with MA Fish and Wildlife. I'll report back once I hear something.

[srockbubbles]

That would be greatly appreciated. Thank you guys so much for helping me with this little girl, I don't have any snake knowledge other then what I have read on the forums here and now that I know exactly what type of snake she is that ought to help me out a lot. Thank you again for all of your guys experience and advice it is greatly appreciated.

[guidofatherof5]

Just got off the photo with Mr. Mirick. According to him you may keep 2 of any unprotected snakes species in MA. You may give away or release any babies from those snakes. He hopes they would be released in the area the parent came from. Selling is a whole other ball game as that requires a permit. He said if you have any other questions feel free to contact him.
Peter Mirick 508-389-6300 MA Fish and Wildlife

[srockbubbles]

Oh Ok, well hopefully those same rules apply to Ohio as I live in Wood County Ohio. I have no intentions of keeping her to breed her, I just thought it would be really cool to keep her as a pet as long as she thrives in captivity beings that the kids found her. Which then brings back to my previous question:

Ok so since she is a Eastern Garter snake, do I still try feeding her the slugs as well as the earthworms or do I get rid of the slugs and stay with fish and nightcrawlers? Right now I don't have her tank with a light nor heat but is that something I ought to do or beings she is inside I can regulate that with the light in the room as well as the thermostat in the room. I have her in a spare bedroom right now where no one goes into hoping that if we leave her alone she will start eating and becoming more comfortable. I kind of feel bad because I thought she was a Brown Snake and was trying to keep her cooler rather then warmer. I hope I didn't mess her up. I have grown really attached to her and don't want to see anything happen to her.

[guidofatherof5]

Well, for some odd reason I thought you were in MA. I will give Ohio a call. Sorry about that.

[srockbubbles]

lol that is Ok, it is my fault for not knowing how to fix my profile to include all that information..Still new to all this

[guidofatherof5]

Here is a website the Ohio Dept. of wildlife suggested I look at. While I was on the phone with them (Debbie) said that T. siratis sirtalis - Eastern garter snake as a pet is a no-no as it is a species of concern. I also looked at T. radix - Plains garter snake and found they are on the "Endangered" list and also a no-no.

A-Z Reptiles and Amphibians

[srockbubbles]

So she is saying I can't keep her then that I have to let her go? The picture of the Eastern GarterSnake doesn't look like my snake though..I am so confused and a little concerned now if I am not allowed to keep her.

[Mommy2many]

Can you post a clearer picture? It looks like a brown snake to me (Dekayi). You can try slugs, both Easterns and Dekayis like those!