Hibernation?

[ontariogarter]

It's quite surprising that anyone in North America would keep a garter snake as a pet, since they are an indigenous species found in the wild here. They belong wild and free, not cooped up in a house. This is just inhumane. I'm sorry for your loss, but that it died of hypothermia because your cell phone was more important than keeping the snake warm, and that you can't even recognize when the animal is dead pretty well underscores that you really oughtn't to have any more snakes as pets. Please leave garter snakes alone.

[ontariogarter]

My earlier post appears to have been deleted. I stated that I didn't think it was right that someone in North America would keep an indigenous species such as a garter snake normally found in the wild, as a pet. Further the fact that this person would choose to charge their cell phone over keeping the snake warm, and doesn't recognize a basic biological state such as death in their "pet" underscores that they are not qualified to have a snake as a pet. This is a post on behalf of snakes, which is what this group is about, yes? If so, then please on behalf of snakes everywhere, do not delete this.
I no longer have snakes as pets but did as a child when my father brought one home from a pet store. It didn't smell. We have garter snakes in our back yard which we enjoy watching and it is troubling to learn that they are kept as pets when they belong wild and free.

[Garter_Gertie]

Oh, Lover, I'm so very sorry. I doubt it was the lack of warmth - unless that was a contributing factor - that cause your little snake to die. It's been getting chilly at night here and both my snake tanks have gotten down to the high 60's for the past two nights with no ill effects on my garters and Hoggies but for being sluggish until the tanks warm up with the light turned on.

Such a sad way to find us, but I'm glad you did. Hopefully you'll get a new garter and as James said many people here will be glad to help you.

[Garter_Gertie]

Whoops! Just realized the date when this thread began.

[GartersRock]

Ooops. Messing thus up. lol!

[GartersRock]

It's quite surprising that anyone in North America would keep a garter snake as a pet, since they are an indigenous species found in the wild here. They belong wild and free, not cooped up in a house. This is just inhumane. I'm sorry for your loss, but that it died of hypothermia because your cell phone was more important than keeping the snake warm, and that you can't even recognize when the animal is dead pretty well underscores that you really oughtn't to have any more snakes as pets. Please leave garter snakes alone.

Uh... Wow... I am sure someone else will respond to this well. I probably shouldn't... If you know what I mean.

[Stefan-A]

Uh... Wow... I am sure someone else will respond to this well. I probably shouldn't... If you know what I mean.

No point in responding, the person probably just needed to vent.

[infernalis]

No point in responding, the person probably just needed to vent.

And considering the nature of the post, probably would not be interested in any form of justification one of us could respond with....

[Garter_Gertie]

That's what I thought, Wayne. Like, "Okay. Whatever." Not on my radar any longer. Only thing I could think of to say and figured it was all water over the damn, was better to keep a native species in case of a mistake along the lines of one getting out in the wild - even if a New Yawkur in MN - than a boa in FL. Native's best. And krikey! the hotels I've got my guys in! Too, mine are CBs.

So, like how about them Twins? LOL!

[jitami]

Ah, I've written and deleted in this little box a few times now... I agree with the statement that we should enjoy them in the wild, but I don't think that statement excludes them from being wonderful pets. Yes they should be better cared for than the poor snake in this post(from JANUARY), but that doesn't mean that they can't be loved and cared for in captivity just like any other pet. My female dog would love to live wild and free, but I care *just barely* enough for the safety of the neighborhood children to not let that happen

Oh, and as you can see, your first post wasn't deleted, there's just a bit of a delay in posting for new members to prevent spam. Welcome to the forum. I hope you'll stick around and see that most of us love these snakes like we love our children