We found this guy along the Wapiti river just south of Grande Prairie Alberta, Canada. I have lived here my entire life and we always catch the wandering(Thamnophis elegans vagrans) garters here never anything like this!
Definitely a red sided gartersnake, Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis. I'm in Edmonton and worked with the species all spring It's funny how you normally find elegans. I think of them as a southern species when they are really a western one.
Wyldrose, garters are now protected in Alberta due to their declines. It's best to return it to the wild if it hasn't been exposed to other herp's yet. The only native species that can be kept as pets are the boreal chorus frog, the wood frog, and the tiger salamander.
Steve, pinkies can lack calcium. I'm sure you know to vary the prey and feed pinkies with milk filled bellies.
I don't feed any fur to my garters. Lost a couple adults to fur impaction. Pinkies only for me.
Originally Posted by joeysgreen
Wyldrose, garters are now protected in Alberta due to their declines. It's best to return it to the wild if it hasn't been exposed to other herp's yet. The only native species that can be kept as pets are the boreal chorus frog, the wood frog, and the tiger salamander.
Steve, pinkies can lack calcium. I'm sure you know to vary the prey and feed pinkies with milk filled bellies.
Should have clarified myself. When I feed mice as part of a varied diet I use only pinkies.