Wild Caught Western Terrestrial

[kurtnagel]

Sounds like you're off to a good start and have gotten some excellent advice already, so just wanted to say Welcome! Between the spider shirt and the handful of snake, your daughter is my kind of girl Let her know that she can go back to handling the snake after it settles in and starts eating for you Good luck!

Thanks Tami,

Yes, my daughter, Jessica, has always had a thing for all things creepy crawly. It's funny because she is very girly-girl in other ways. I think she has over 15 baby-dolls that she cares for! She also has a leopard gecko named LuLu and used to have a ball python named Daisy, that is until the ex accidentally killed it with a too-strong betadine bath for a mite problem She told her it escaped. I guess the real story will have to wait until she is a bit older. Oh and also had a Rose tarantula that we donated to the school science teacher!

We are still working on a name for this one. So far they haven't been too creative (in my silly adult opinion) The two so far are "Gardener" and "Snakey". After I explained that it is really "garter", the name "Gardener" seems to be sticking, go figure!


Kurt

[kurtnagel]

"Also, I have seen a lot of posts where the sex of the snake has been determined (guessed) by a photo. What are you looking for beyond an obvious gravid bulge?"

The shape of the head/neck area, and tail section, taper are good visual indicators.

As adults, Females are far larger than the males.

Okay,

I will examine her? a bit more closely. My limited take is that the taper is pretty gradual/uniform with no significant increase. What am I looking for around the head/neck? How does the taper differ male to female?

Kurt

[jitami]

It's ok Kurt, my boys were 8 & 10 when we got our snake and he ended up with two names. The boys couldn't decide and I figured it really didn't matter since the snake couldn't hear anyway

[jitami]

btw, there's a pretty good sexing care sheet somewhere... let me see if I can find it. I think it's Melissa Kaplan's(don't even know if I'm spelling that correctly or if it's even the right name!) Lemme look...

[jitami]

Not what I was looking for, but not bad...
Alan's Garter Snakes - Maintenance of Garter Snakes

ok, this is bugging me now...

[Stefan-A]

I'm pretty sure that I read that the western has a pretty wide range from Canada all the way down through New Mexico and Colorado was on the list. Does the 3rd/4th row stripe provide the definitive answer? What are the distinguishing features of the Western vs the Plains?

It's a definite sign. The only other species with the stripe in those rows, are the two ribbon snakes and they don't resemble either radix or elegans. Then there's the general appearance.

I go by this application:
snakefinder

According to it, T. elegans should be found in the westernmost parts of the neighbouring states, but not in Colorado.

[Elliot]

Welcome to the forum, and I agree with Stefan. It looks more like a plains than a western terrestrial, especially with that bold orange stripe they are famous for!

[kurtnagel]

Thanks!

I will look up the plains.

Another question. It seems that some feed in home and some remove to feeder boxes. Given that she has not yet fed while in my care and the recommendation is to not handle her until she does, it seems I should feed her in her home, yes?

Opinions about feeder boxs/bags once she is acclimated?

Kurt

[Stefan-A]

Thanks!

I will look up the plains.

Another question. It seems that some feed in home and some remove to feeder boxes. Given that she has not yet fed while in my care and the recommendation is to not handle her until she does, it seems I should feed her in her home, yes?

I think so, yes.

Opinions about feeder boxs/bags once she is acclimated?

Anything escape proof is fine. Paper towels, newspaper or towels as substrate, or no substrate at all. The idea is that nothing can get accidentally ingested.

[kurtnagel]

Not what I was looking for, but not bad...
Alan's Garter Snakes - Maintenance of Garter Snakes

ok, this is bugging me now...

Tami,

No problem!

I guess my initial (and beginner) take looking at the above pictures and description is that with the very gradual and uniform taper on this one, it appears to be female. But, that is without a detailed examination.

I will make a closer examination and post some pictures once she has fed and I am able to handle her. Hopefully then the more experienced of you can make the call!

Kurt