Found a snake...I thinks it's a garter

[Purple flippers]

I can say with confidence...



The snake was probably already terminal. You have not had it long enough for husbandry to be a factor. It was as good as dead when you found it. Not your fault.

Thank you. I still feel aweful. But I tried to help the little guy.

[ConcinusMan]

Sometimes while brumating, if they become very ill or are dying, they will come out into the open. That is often the case when a snake is found out in the open in winter. They simply leave the den to die, or when they're dying they fail to go into their den when cold weather hits in fall, and just stay out. That's probably when you found it. Then people try to "rescue" them and they die anyway within hours or days. (because they were already dying)

No doubt in my mind it was dying when you found it so there's nothing you could do. It looked horrible and there's no way it got like that in the short time you had it. Had to have been ill a while long before you found it, to get in that shape.

The thing about using pebbles/gravel is, it just gets damp, breeds bacteria, and causes blistering/skin infections which are treatable once conditions are corrected and antiseptic is applied. It's not something that's going to kill it in a few days or weeks.

[slipknot711]

Thank you. I still feel aweful. But I tried to help the little guy.

Don't let this scare you away from being a garter owner. hang around here. learn as much as you can and maybe in the spring or summer you can find another little one to love.

[Purple flippers]

Don't let this scare you away from being a garter owner. hang around here. learn as much as you can and maybe in the spring or summer you can find another little one to love.

I definately plan on learning more, and accurate information. And trying again sometime. I appreciate all the advise and information from this forum and I will stick around to learn more so I know what I am doing next time.

[ConcinusMan]

I think you'll find that they are very easy to keep, provided they aren't very ill when you get them, as that brown snake was. Just remember next time you see that same species, it's not a garter snake. Easiest way to tell is the head is different and the stripe is much wider.

Brown snake (storeria dekayi)




garter snakes:

[slipknot711]

as much as I love garters, brownies are cuties too!! and don't musk me!

[guidofatherof5]

as much as I love garters, brownies are cuties too!! and don't musk me!

They are an awesome snake.