Albino Garter snake FOUND IN NW OREGON!

[ConcinusMan]

I'm not even sure what that means but I assume you still want to see a pic? He's in shed now (figures)

[guidofatherof5]

Rough looking little scrub.
Looks like it has a few missing scales.
I'm sure it will look better once it sheds.

[Snakers]

also looks a little thin...........

[mustang]

nice snake

[Jeff B]

Interesting looking snake, its hard to tell from the pic but looks like it may have a paradox area, or is that just dirt?
It would be nice to see some pics from strait above on a darker background, and closer head shots, belly and side shots, ect.
Thanks for sharing Richard, sorry if I sounded negative, its an exciting find no doubt, and we all appreciate you sharing it with us, maybe what I really meant to say is that I personally am not going to go all crazy in the excitement of trying to aquire something new and offer or spend a rediculous amount of money on an animal that may not prove out or may die on me, it's just hard for me personally to justify rationally. I think I personally will just be patient, and if the right opportunity arrises for me to get into a project like that one weather it is this year or in 4 year from now, it isn't going to make or break me either way. So the bottom line is I would put in an offer (although no one has contacted me to even have that opportunity...yet) but I won't get into or partake in a bidding war with other breeders (circus-step right up ladies and gentlemen and let the bidding war begin and if you all end up hating each other by the time it's over who cares theres money to be had) , I guess that was really my point.

[ConcinusMan]

I guess I shouldn't have said "bidding war" anyway because there hasn't been much interest. I still haven't seen it personally but this guy only sent me a few really crummy pics, that one being the best. Snake does look rough and that area you referred to is like a snow, stripe missing there and very faded from there toward the tail. That "dirty" area is missing scales too, some kind of old injury there.

I'm sure the snake needs some TLC right now and he's not necessarily getting it.

Thanks for the better explanation of where you're coming from. Now I understand why some responses were so negative.

I simply want anyone who is interested and intends to preserve the gene to make an offer. Highest one goes. PM me. I think the snake needs to go and get better care soon. Who knows, if offers are low enough, I might just end up with it after all and that wouldn't break my heart.

[Lance Portal Reptiles]

Bad idea try to sell this....

ORS 498.022 Purchase, sale or exchange of wildlife prohibited. Except as the State Fish and Wildlife Commission by rule may provide otherwise, no person shall purchase, sell or exchange, or offer to purchase, sell or exchange any wildlife, or any part thereof. [1973 c.723 §77]

I dont know if its worth the risk to you and the person you sell it to... and are the people in the "bidding war" aware that their breaking Oregon law? IMO, it sounds like this would do more harm to the garter hobby then good, just food of thought.....

[guidofatherof5]

I don't care who gets the snake as long as it's going to get proper care, soon.
Richard, I'm sure you told him but does the guy with the snake know how to care for it before he gets rid of it?

[Jeff B]

Well I am not at all interested in breaking any Law, or even being an excessory to breaking a Law, because I would guess that that law you cited would apply to the guy living in Oregon, since it is an Oregon state law. So that pretty much takes me out of the picture, but I would assume if someone creates CBB offspring from that snake the Oregon Law would no longer applicable.

[ConcinusMan]

"Except as the State Fish and Wildlife Commission by rule may provide otherwise"

As I stated before, a rule does provide otherwise. You know what though? nevermind. Quite frankly I still don't understand everyone's negative responses. Just forget it. Someone who isn't necessarily me is just going to have to take this snake and see to it that it has offspring and breed with the goal of making more albino babies. Isn't this how albino garters got into the hobby? Oh sure, the snake could be released (before or after that happens) but I think it's chances of survival aren't very good at all.

It's funny how people pick and choose when fracturing the law suits their purpose, and then turn around and quote laws in a different case. Quite frankly I'm disgusted with the response. We have a species here from which no albinos have ever produced, and none have been found in recent history. Here an albino presents itself and this the response? Someone even said "I think I'll wait". Wait for what? laws to change or another albino to surface under the same circumstances? If that is the case, there is nothing to wait for. Never going to happen or if it does, it's going to happen just like it happened right here.

There are two popular species I can think of right now(can be found in OR or WA) that could have entered the hobby one way, and one way only. By illegally collecting and subsequent captive breeding/exporting. And yet, people openly, publicly, and willingly buy and sell them. As far as I know, there has never been a legal way to buy and sell these snakes, being how they only occur where collection and sale falls under the same laws you guys are quoting. CB babies are for sale in places near and far. BTW, the law applies to any offspring of WC snakes, so for example that means ALL of your pugets are descended from illegally collected snakes and like I said, there's a few other garters in the same situation. You may or may not be breaking your local law by having them now, but the law had to be broken in order for you have them available in the first place.

I mean, if we're going to get really picky and start quoting laws, and start complying with those laws, let's kiss a few species goodbye and eliminate them from the hobby entirely.