Northern or Eastern - differences?

[guidofatherof5]

If I'm not mistaken the photo on that website is a T.radix (Plains Garter snake).

The phone number on the website is a TX area code.
I also emailed the guy and offered my help to ID his snake if he wanted it.
I explained the error on his webpage but doubt anything will be done about it.

[ConcinusMan]

I've seen both T. radix (plains garter) and T. sirtalis parietalis (red sided garter snake) listed as "northern garter" before. In most cases they were WC from Canada. In one case they were actually adult T- "Iowa" albino plains garters.

I've contacted the ad posters before, once when it was plains garters being offered. They were like "oh, thanks for the information" but they just continue to place ads for "northern garter" snakes. I quit even bothering to contact the ad posters anymore. It doesn't do any good.

Most of them don't give a darn and seem to list any garter snake they offer as "northern garter" regardless of what species or subspecies it is. If it's anything but a checkered garter, they seem to just list it as "northern".

[Stefan-A]

Wait, I thought T. radix were Canadian Garter Snakes.

[kueluck]

I also emailed him to see if they check for parasites and he said “No, we don't preventatively treat animals for parasites--it can do more harm than good. A healthy reptile will pass any harmful parasites in a healthy environment fairly quickly.” Is this true or are they just trying to make a sale.

[guidofatherof5]

I'm not sure what he's trying to say with that statement.
Certainly cheaper to "let the animal take care of it".
A healthy snake can be infected with parasites its entire life if not treated.
A healthy snake makes a good host.
A healthy snake will be able to pass on many generations of parasites.

[kueluck]

I can't figure out how a “healthy” snake can have parasites. This is not a place I would deal with, he's just trying to make a buck is the way I see it. I guess it just goes to show you can't rush a good thing, meaning that I really want one, I just have to wait. I know there's a male Eastern out there somewhere for me calling out saying “pick me, pick me”.

[EasternGirl]

Well...I still don't know if Cee Cee is gravid or not...but if she is and she manages to have live babies this time...you are welcome to one of her babies if you haven't found an eastern by then.

[guidofatherof5]

I can't figure out how a “healthy” snake can have parasites. This is not a place I would deal with, he's just trying to make a buck is the way I see it. I guess it just goes to show you can't rush a good thing, meaning that I really want one, I just have to wait. I know there's a male Eastern out there somewhere for me calling out saying “pick me, pick me”.

Healthy or not parasites don't care.
Parasites simply need a host.

[kueluck]

That is so kind of you. I still have thereptile show the first weekend in May, it's just a matter of finding a c/b. I'll definitely take you up on the offer though.

Well...I still don't know if Cee Cee is gravid or not...but if she is and she manages to have live babies this time...you are welcome to one of her babies if you haven't found an eastern by then.

[Stefan-A]

I also emailed him to see if they check for parasites and he said “No, we don't preventatively treat animals for parasites--it can do more harm than good.

Not too long ago I heard someone state in a video on YT, that wildcaught specimens of a certain species kept dying on him, until he stopped treating them for parasites on arrival.

A healthy reptile will pass any harmful parasites in a healthy environment fairly quickly.” Is this true or are they just trying to make a sale.

They are trying to make a sale, but that doesn't mean what they say is necessarily untrue. That statement is untrue, though.