wild garter found out in freezing weather

[garter newbie]

Marnie - Thanks for the offer, but as of right now, I think I'm going to give it a try myself. If I change my mind, I will let you know.

Here are some photos: The 1st is how we found him on the walkway, the 2nd was after we moved him to the garden, the 3rd is taken in his new habitat.

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[EasternGirl]

He's a nice looking snake...let me know if you need anything and if you decide that you don't want to keep him, I can give him a good home here. I'm glad that he seems to be doing well for now...thank goodness you and your sons were there to find him!

[guidofatherof5]

I was a little concerned shortly after I brought him in because he started flailing around with his mouth opened.

This is something to be concerned about.
It may be nothing but it may be a sign that something is wrong(sick)
Keep us posted on this situation.

[Mommy2many]

Kinda looks like it may be a little girl snake. Need a better photo to be sure.

[ConcinusMan]

I think the snake was found out in freezing weather because it is terminally ill / dying. It doesn't look well at all. Hope I'm wrong but like Steve was saying, a failure to find a den and go into brumating is often a sign that the snake is ill and/or otherwise not well enough to make it through another winter.

[garter newbie]

Well, I guess only time will tell. I'll keep you posted.

[infernalis]

Good luck.....

Don't lose hope either, I recently found a really beat up eastern out on a cold day with an infection.

With some TLC this snake has made one heck of a turnaround.

Best wishes for a similar outcome.

[katach]

To touch him/her is it still really cold or has the temp of your home brought it's temp up? Once you feel it and it seems like the temp is about the same you can start using a lamp or a pad. Is there tongue flicking? If so that is a positive sign. I would let it settle in and make sure it has plenty of water for now. You may need to try to put it's little head near the water. Keep an eye on it and try feeding in a couple days once it's settled in.

[EasternGirl]

Yes...as it turns out, I ended up finding my own snake suffering from the cold today as well...I have her warming up in an enclosure right now and I am hoping that she will make it as well...she is not doing very well either. Here is hoping that both of our snakes make a turnaround!

[garter newbie]

I really haven't seen it flicking its tongue much at all... maybe only a few times since bringing it in. I did see it with its body in the water for a while last night. As for its temp, it feels up to room temp now so I turned on the lamp as suggested. Shortly there after, it started flailing around with its mouth open again but then settled down by the water in about 30 sec. I shut the lamp off for now till I hear back from one of you.