Tami's Kids...

[Lori P]

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!! Yeah, but these are Virginia cooties... they're SPECIAL!!!!!!

[Loren]

Yeah, I heard she got them from some guy named Bob Evans...

[Lori P]

Shhhh.. don't tell my husband... he might not build me any other enclosures!!!!!! LOL

[jitami]

Ok, guys... have any of you had what seemed like excessively active young garters? I've often commented on how Frick is always out and about, always on the move. It's a joy to watch, but it's also has me a little concerned? Today he's been up all over the branches, climbing the glass, and doing a small amount of burrowing under the substrate, but mostly just cruising around, here, there, everywhere. His brother cruises maybe a couple of times a day, moving to a basking spot or looking for food, but is generally quiet. He's big and healthy, temps seem fine 80 warm end, 68 cool end right now, no higher than that lately. He's big and healthy, not thin at all. He ate on Tuesday and I offered him food today. His brother ate today, but not him. They've both slowed down on food, but I attributed that to the season and the fact that their growth has got to slow a little eventually, right? Anything to be concerned about or should I just enjoy the entertainment?

btw, he's just too cute and just checked out the water bowl and got a drink... maybe he is hungry now???

[guidofatherof5]

Sounds like a typical little scrub. I have some that are very active and others that are not. Some seem very content with their lives and others appear to want out. I think it's just individual make-up. They are great to watch, aren't they?

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

Hey Tami!

So, Sly is an elegans elegans, and what a beauty! Is he C/B or W/C? And do you know from what locality?

Steve

[jitami]

Thanks Steve, Sly is elegans elegans as is Ella. I really do think he's gorgeous, but I may be a little biased Sly was caught in a greenbelt creek near my home on the border of Sacramento and Placer Counties. He was my first garter. The neighborhood kids drug the poor fellow home and were passing him around, dropping him several times in between of course, begging all the parents to keep him. I went out to see what was up and felt so sorry for him. He was really being mishandled by the kids. I quickly took him from them to have a better look and that was the end of that In hindsight I should have walked him straight back to the creek and taught the kids a better lesson, but we kept the little guy and he's still doing well over 6 years later Ella showed up in my driveway this summer and I just didn't see a viable place to release her so she stayed. She put me at my limit for Elegans, so it worked out ok. Sly's coloring is so much nicer than hers, though. He's a nice rich yellow where she's a creamy greenish color. After a generous quarantine, I do have them housed together right now, but will probably separate them early spring. It's tough, because I know the law, but also don't see harm in allowing them to propagate considering they're already captive and won't impact the natural populations in any way at this point. I guess I need to do more research. I'd love your thoughts... more on the moral and ecological side of the equation. Like I said, I know what the law says

[jitami]

Thanks Guido...also Steve, right? If I didn't have his brother housed with him I really would think that there was something wrong with the environment, but his brother seems totally content, so I guess it's just the way he is I did have him out handling him for a long time after that post last night and he seems totally fine. No mites or anything else unusual. Great muscle tone Guess he's just a busy boy

[jitami]

Frick, '08 baby, the busybody, hasn't eaten in two weeks now. He still looks great. He is drinking. I'm not too terribly worried, but something has got to be off. His tank mate(brother) continues to act and eat as normal. Actually this snake being active is not unusual, but not eating is quite unusual for him. I've tried a couple different things, but nothing drastic as I just don't think it's necessary yet. I think I will isolate him with his food tonight, although that has never been necessary before. He would eat while being held before... would eat pretty much however you offered it. Now, nada. I've thought it through for the adults and I really don't have a way to brumate any of them. Thoughts?

[jitami]

Just updating the babies' growth chart My currently fasting, busy boy, Frick is losing ground to his brother, Frack, but still seems to be growing at a decent pace... and his brother was catching up even before Frick decided there are better things to do than eat. Hopefully he turns things around soon. I offered him a minnow on tongs two days ago and I eventually did get him to strike, had the minnow in his mouth, and spit it out? Offered pinky halves yesterday and neither of them ate. Have minnows swimming in a bowl. (I know minnows aren't a good choice, but best feeder I can get here and figured I'd give it a try. Neither of them are eating the fish, so no big worries there! lol) Anyway their growth chart in inches:

8/20/08
7.6 inches -only had one pic suitable for sizing, not sure which baby it was

9/13/08
Frick 11.94"
Frack 10.82"

10/27/08
Frick 14.11"
Frack 13.82"

12/12/08
Frick 16.69"
Frack 16.96"

Everything seem ok despite the recent hunger strike?