Shunned at the Show

[BLUESIRTALIS]

As some of you already know i've vended a few shows with garters and have got positive and negative feedback. My garters got lots of attention at the show and most people showed alot of interest in them and thought is was cool that i had something different. Like others already stated most people couldn't even believe that garters came in so many colors. People were blown away by the adults, but were usually turned away by the babies especially when they asked about how to care for them and i told them there feeding requirements. They said the babies were too small and too much of a hastle to tend to. I think some people are just lazy and would prefer to have a baby that they can just throw a pink in once a week and they're done. That's ok though like others have stated garters are some of the best kept secrets! I did have a pretty good turn out at the last show as i sold over 40+ babies and even sparked some new interest in a few people and everyone of my customers went home with a link to thamnophis.com for the care sheet and all my contact info for questions. So i'm looking forward to this years show to see how it turns out!

[Zdravko092368]

That's awesome Blue Sirtalis and the type of response I would expect. If you just tell people about garters they will look at you all funny eyed and probably think less of you but when you SHOW them how awesome garters can be they will change their mind.

The problem is, 90% of people who have seen a garter, saw your typical striped, ugly, probably dirty/scarred wild garter and it's usually smallish males since they are more common and more active than large females. And if they caught it they probably musked them and were overall nasty animals.

What they don't know is garters come in every colour of the rainbow, tame incredibly well in captivity(no musk, no biting, hand feeders), can get over four feet in some species and can live in groups.

Those things you have to show people cause they'll never believe it if you just tell them. I remember someone telling me garter snakes are like worms why would I want one then I showed him my three foot female and he was shocked that was a garter snake, imagine if I had an adult scotti or chapala to show him. Let's not all forget the people who never owned a garter that say garters are skittish nasty lil' muskers that make poor pets. Yeah because a wild garter is the same as a captive one obviously.

At least now I have this video I can show those people; https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v...68&pnref=story

I'm hoping to vend in two years or so since the small shows where I live tables are very cheap and I'm sure it will go well(i'm not looking to make a profit regardless). People are sick of seeing the same thing at expos all the time and the prejudice towards garters is 100% based on lack of knowledge, once people see them they become believers rather quickly. Besides the super tough guys who just want a snake wristband/necklace to walk around with and show off to their friends, but I don't care about those people anyways since they won't stay interested in reptiles for long based on personal experience.



@Ashley, I believe handing out a care sheet with every garter you sell at an expo is a good idea, for any reptiles, but especially lesser appreciated ones like garters. A lot of bad information out there and most people will think they know what's best for something as simple as a garter and not bother doing research unless you literally give them all the information yourself.

[snakegirl909]

The problem is, 90% of people who have seen a garter, saw your typical striped, ugly, probably dirty/scarred wild garter and it's usually smallish males since they are more common and more active than large females. And if they caught it they probably musked them and were overall nasty animals.

I have to disagree.. I don't think wild garters are ugly at all! I love "typical striped" garters. They are my favorite looking ones of them all. Imho, there is no such thing as an "ugly" garter.

[d_virginiana]

I've known several people who get turned off by the size of the babies not just for feeding purposes, but because they're scared to handle something that small and they want a snake they can pick up.

Wild garters are ugly at all! I love "typical striped" garters. They are my favorite looking ones of them all. Imho, there is no such thing as an "ugly" garter.

I like several of the wild types; especially the erythristics we have near the coast here in NC

[Zdravko092368]

Wild garters are ugly at all! I love "typical striped" garters. They are my favorite looking ones of them all. Imho, there is no such thing as an "ugly" garter.

Not to you or me but the hobbyists looking for something with colour and flare certainly think they are ugly and think all garters look like those wild ones they think are ugly.

[snakegirl909]

Ah ok. Many garter morphs are naturally occurring which is pretty interesting aswell

[slipknot711]

the naturally occuring morphs are what make me go on garter alone herping trips... i just need to find some new spots... or just visit Mel cuz i swear when her and i were herping her area i saw a "smallish" black snake (like a garter) but got away... and i need to find him again lol

[ObsidianDragon]

My garter IS a skittish little musking bugger still, so sometimes it's hard to argue against that. Haha. I had to get some stuck tail shed off him earlier in the week and that was complicated by his perpetually trying to flee!

I'd love to breed some and take them to the local shows though--I'd possibly be the only one with something other than balls or carpets. My husband is against me breeding though, convinced that I'd want to keep them all.

Noooooo, I wouldn't...much.

[Tommytradix]

represent Thamnophis R. Radix!!

[Tommytradix]

20150110_155027-1.jpghey steve check out this eastern lol