How Do You Tell if the Female is Gravid?

[crzy_kevo]

ya well i guess i type faster lol
and yes this is the whole reason i released that huge gravid girl last week and only decided to keep the smaller one
it would just be too many babies and the big girl especially looked like she was going have 20 babies at least
with the smaler one i think i might have 8 or so

[Jack Neary]

Tami and Kevo...
Please don't misunderstand...
I plan to release all but maybe 2 o3 back back to where I found them. I would not want these babies to suffer because they were not well fed, or cared for etc...
I found my 2 Females in Mid-June. They are both good eaters of Nightcrawler worms and Minnows. (I have tried to get them to eat the Talipai and Pinkies I bought them, but no luck........)
Is August too late for them to have babies? Is there a date whereby I can say these are just 2 well fed Garter's and were not gravid?
(I can't seem to feel any babies in both there underbellies...?)
Thanks!
Jack

[crzy_kevo]

wel how often do you feed them because 2 or 3 days after you feed them they should appear smaller unless they are actually fat
or what you can do is wigh them every few days and see if they are gaining weight at all if they are then they must be gravid

[jitami]

Tami and Kevo...
Please don't misunderstand...
I plan to release all but maybe 2 o3 back back to where I found them.

That's what we were getting at You seem very caring and I'm sure you'll do a wonderful job caring for the babies. I'll let the experts here field the question of how late in the year you could still expect babies or when it's safe to assume they're not gravid after all. Really, though, I would guess most mature females, found in mid June, are probably gravid Lots of babies means a greater chance for species survival and garters seem to reproduce quite well most of the time!

[crzy_kevo]

ya and for me the majority of them are female in my area im sure of i haven't found one male this year lol

[Jack Neary]

That's what we were getting at You seem very caring and I'm sure you'll do a wonderful job caring for the babies. I'll let the experts here field the question of how late in the year you could still expect babies or when it's safe to assume they're not gravid after all. Really, though, I would guess most mature females, found in mid June, are probably gravid Lots of babies means a greater chance for species survival and garters seem to reproduce quite well most of the time!

Wayne,
Could you please advise, if you're reading this post?
Thanks!

[Sid]

Jack, Garters here in the south normally start producing the young in late June until late August. Some are as late as September. Your area is colder than where I live, so I would guess that September is even more normal for births than here. Hope this helps a little.

[anji1971]

Around here, we have different times for birthing. My first garter had hers at the end of July. But Chili, after a milder winter, gave birth in mid-June. I've seen babies earlier, and later than that outside.
I'd say by the end of August, beginning of September, you'll know for sure one way or the other.

[infernalis]

Jack, Look for your PM.

[Jack Neary]

I have been actually hearing my one Garter, Samantha (whom I think is gravid...?) actually "wheezing" or breathing hard. My gut is telling me somethings wrong with her... She seems like her breathing is a little labored? More so than my other Garter, Jacqueline, whom I REALLY think she's gravid. She's huge!!!!! Both have turned away from eating their favorite meal of earthworms yesterday....
Both were wildly caught in mid-June. Anyway, want to ensure I am doing everything possible to give them the very best of care, food and proper vivarium space. (Wayne, followed your advice in creating a "Baby delivery box" with moist moss, etc)
As such, found a highly recommended herp vet nearby and made appointment for Thursday AM mainly to address this breathing/respitory concern I have and to verify if they are both gravid and MOST importantly.... healthy!
I truly believe this is money well spent as I hope the vet can treat my ever growing Garter population! (I have 2 baby Florida Blue Striped Garters arriving tomorrow AM) That darn Scott Felzer strikes again!
Need to buy more Terrariums... Wonder if PetsMart gives a quantity discount? LOL (I'm their new best customer!!!)
My wife said if I find or buy any more Garter's or supplies I will need to buy a tank to live in by myself...
Regards,
Garter Addicted Jack