Delilah the checkered garter.

[Rushthezeppelin]

Fair enough, I suppose I will do something to rectify the possible escape route.

[Rushthezeppelin]

Hmmm, I'm a little worried today. Noticed this yesterday but managed to get good pictures of it today. Delilah has some dark spots on her upper lip that are new.



I know usually one of the signs of an UR with these guys is darkening around the lips although this isn't touching the edge of her lip so iuno. Could this be a bruise or something? I know I tried to put her in the 2.5g to try feeding her fish a few days ago and she went a little nutters on me and started frantically trying to get out smacking her face in the process. My only other guess is maybe it's just dried on worm guts that she didn't clean up from her last meal. I know she's had times where she got clear worm goo on her and didn't managed to rub it off the side of her face for a few days.

[d_virginiana]

My first guess would be that it's just dirt or worm goo. Doesn't look like anything too worrisome at the moment, just keep a close eye on it at let us know if anything changes.

[Rushthezeppelin]

My first guess would be that it's just dirt or worm goo. Doesn't look like anything too worrisome at the moment, just keep a close eye on it at let us know if anything changes.

Good deal. Perhaps I'm being a little bit of a helicopter parent here :P

Edit: Hmmm I'm thinking it might actually be poo now. I just remembered when I handled her yesterday she decided to take a big runny crap on my carpet (holy crap that's some hard stuff to get out). She also subsequently slithered back through it. I bet that's what it's from. Would it hurt her to take a damp paper towel and try and dab it off? I know she'll probably go bonkers on me if I try to touch her face. Or should it just wash off with enough baths?

[d_virginiana]

Wiping it off would probably annoy her, but she'll get over it. If it's poo it's probably not super healthy to have it stuck to her skin anyway.

Helicopter parenting is a good thing. There are so many health conditions that are easy to treat if you catch the little signs early but become real nightmares if they're allowed to progress before you notice anything.

[Rushthezeppelin]

Cool beans, I'll clean her up regardless of how fussy she is

[Rushthezeppelin]

Well it cleaned right up w/e it was. Was a little tricky to get at her nose, but once I did she didn't freak out or anything. Thank goodness it was only a false alarm.

[Milamber]

I am so impressed with how friendly yours is. I have had mine a month and I only see him when I go looking for him to feed him

[Rushthezeppelin]

Guess I just lucked out on the wild thamnophis lottery I have been super happy about Delilah's progress. My suggestion to you is to handle yours as much as you can (make sure to give a 24 hour break after eating) and make sure there's plenty of foliage on the floor of the enclosure to make them feel like they are in a leafbed which makes them feel alot more secure.

[d_virginiana]

I am so impressed with how friendly yours is. I have had mine a month and I only see him when I go looking for him to feed him

Males tend to be a lot more skittish and nippy than females in my experience. Species/subspecies also plays into it; some are known for being kind of pissy.