Help! Surprise in the bin!

[Dracorex5]

And i was thinking of letting them go, but she wasnt caught anywhere near here. And ive gone herping in my area and have never seen an eastern here. Id have to travel a bit but it may be the easiest option!

[kibakiba]

Which is one of the reasons you don't release them in areas they weren't caught. It causes all sorts of trouble.

[Dracorex5]

They are the cutest little things, their eyes are too big for their heads! What to do with them will comes later i guess, the goal is to keep them alive and healthy! I have them in a big bin with wet moss an paper towels with a couple of small water bowls. Ill split them into groups when they get a bit bigger and easier to organize! On tomorrows menu.... Mouse guts! Pics to come later

[Didymus20X6]

The particularly iffy part of the problem is GA state law concerning native reptile species.

Have you tried talking to a GA wildlife professional - like maybe a park ranger or something - to see what they might have to say? Maybe there's some advice they can offer about what to do with the little scrubs.

Easterns are pretty much all over the state of GA. And with NC in close proximity, I seriously doubt that a WC NC garter would be a problem if released in GA. But I'm not a wildlife professional, so don't quote me on that.

[katach]

In my opinion if you are going to release them, do it where the mother was caught only. Releasing them anywhere else can cause problems to local populations, over crowding, introduction of foreign bacteria, and if there are no easterns in the area you release them, inbreeding. The best thing to do is care for them until they are big and strong and then find homes for them. Congrats on the litter, and pics are not optional!

[Dracorex5]

The dude i reascued her from claims to have caught her all the way in North Carolina. Its about three or four hours from here, and im not even sure exactly where to put them when i get to the state! Not only that, but i really do not trust this boy in the least, he could have gotten her from his backuard or off the internet for all i know (my friend says he's a very cumpulsive liar... He lives with him and doesnt even remember him getting the smake in the first place!) ill raise them to a good size, and then maybe some friends from the wildlife preserve i work at can help me out. Though im not so sure.... One of my bosses at the preserve commented on facebook and told me i should sell them on fauna for a pretty penny to people i trust! But we'll see what the top reptile lady says

[Dracorex5]

Does anyone know if i should be worried about her getting gravid again? I understand fully that this was likely a stored sperm situation, and i am not sure of the dynamics of pregnant garters!

[Steveo]

Does anyone know if i should be worried about her getting gravid again? I understand fully that this was likely a stored sperm situation, and i am not sure of the dynamics of pregnant garters!

It's possible that she could become gravid again next year. Won't happen again this year, though.

[guidofatherof5]

Congrats.
Make sure those babies have their first shed. A couple hours in an inch of warm water should do the trick.

[d_virginiana]

Just a suggestion... Don't contact a wildlife official about the babies. I think (you might want to look it up to be sure) that it's illegal to own any native reptile species in GA. Since easterns are native to GA yours would count even though it's from NC. They don't care about people having a couple native reptiles as pets as long as they aren't protected species, but it probably wouldn't be a good idea to talk about it with an officer regardless.
Posting on forums like this is a good way to find homes for them as well, that way you know they're going to a good home.