Appropriate size difference for garters that will be kept together

[Simland]

Second attempt at posting the first paragraph:

I'll need to take another look at the tail. I know how to sex using the tail, but I didn't think the "swelling" could be as subtle as it is on some of those photos. I did wonder if the head difference could indicate that I was wrong it looks thinner from the top, but "squarer" from the side. It's enough of a difference to suggest it might be something more than your average variation from one individual to another.

[Simland]

Does the forum forbid the slash symbol? Removing his [slash] her from my paragraph allowed it go through.

[guidofatherof5]

///////////\\\\\\\\\\\\ Slash symbol. Not a problem as I see it. Are you on a phone, tablet, P.C. ?

[d_virginiana]

To answer the brumation question, yes brumating makes mating and babies more likely, but there's also a decent chance of ending up with babies if you don't brumate. Also, I've seen my males occasionally go into 'mating mode' more than once a year; usually when the weather is changing and I have to play with the heat and lighting a bit, so you run a small risk of babies even if you house them together outside of the breeding season.

[Simland]

Just what I didn't want to hear, Lora, lol... But thanks for the information. It might avoid me some surprises.

Here are some pictures of the underside of my snakes' tails. Sorry for the low quality. That's what I get for putting them trough a photo session in low light. It's the best I could do on short notice.

There might be a bit of swelling at the base of Cimélane(the smaller one)'s tail....might have to change her name, I guess. It's a bit more obvious from the side, so I included a picture from that angle.

I included a photo of Ninja's tail, too, for good measure.

I'm looking forward to your thoughts.

Attachment 12717Attachment 12718Attachment 12719


Steve: I'm on a PC. The only things I changed when I successfully posted that paragraph is that I removed a "his/her" from the text and I added the "Second attempt at posting the first paragraph:" line. Strange. Maybe it was a temporary glitch or something.

[Simland]

Let me know if the picture quality is too low for you guys to sex them and I'll try to take pictures in better light.

[Simland]

Just noticed the attachments aren't working. Here's another try:
Cimelane.jpgCimelane2.jpgNinja.jpg

[Tommytradix]

3rd pic is definitely a male

[Simland]

Well, if this is true, this is a humbling experience, lol. I was utterly convinced this one was a female. I don't see any swelling at all at the base of the tail. It's relatively thick, but it tapers very evenly all the way to the tip. Better picture needed? Maybe one where the tail is straighter and the fingers don't hide as much of it?

I'll try to take better ones this weekend and maybe I'll post another thread specifically to get help sexing these snakes.

[guidofatherof5]

3rd pic is definitely a male

Agreed. Classic male tail.
Photo 1 is a little blurry and 2 is more of a profile shot not giving much information.