sad news(and hopes for a new beginning)

[Herps 4 Life]

I think I'll go for it. Over here it's the end of the "garter season" at least for juveniles, and looking around, it seems like he/she (not good yet at sexing) is the last garter in the entire city! -I think next opportunity would be next year... Besides that, it looks in good shape too! I've checked on him/her this morning and the superlabial scales seem to be 7 so it could be a scaliger. He/she also shed skin yesterday, and now looks indeed more brigther! So now the last thing I was thinking about was if I should think of it more like a temperate climate garter, considering the habitat where it theorically lives..

[gregmonsta]

Scaliger is reported as living in desert scrublands and oak forests. Check the climate of the centre of the Mexican Mesa Central

[Herps 4 Life]

And finally, some (almost)decent pics!
In the end I brought him/her home friday, I took the photos just before putting it in the enclosure.
From deserts to oak? wow,that's quite a range of habitats.. At least it means they are adaptable! I've found it's also reported as present near pine tree. It seems to be not afraid of humans - that is, untill they stay one the other side of the glass...
Are 5 days of rest fine before starting with the handling?? or should I wait more?

[Quibble]

Hmm, Interesting. My snake had a lump/kink very similar to this, and just passed away today. Sorry to hear about your loss, I know how you feel.

[mtolypetsupply]

Herps 4 Life,

Sorry to hear about your loss, and thrilled to hear you've gotten another!!!

I think it's great that you have very different species available to you than do we here in the States. I know you want success with keeping a snake, but once your confidence is up (you'll do great with this one, I'd bet), please get some more of the less common, VERY interesting species!!!!

Looking forward to hearing more about your new baby!!!


Stephi

[ssssnakeluvr]

I'd say its a scaliger also. very nice.....wish we had some of them here....

[Herps 4 Life]

Thank you all
And yeah, surely (whith more experience) I'd love to try again in the future with T.pulchrilatus, that species had already gained a little place in my heart you know... But meanwhile, I'm happy with my new guy(or girl) and I would indeed prefer practicing with more common species before that..
- Oh, and about that handling thing?

[gregmonsta]

5days to a week seems like a good grace period. then you can start working on introductions (mind you ... when changing water, etc you could always leave your hand in the tank for a couple of minutes ... your new friend might just get curious )