My New Snake

[ConcinusMan]

I'm using the word "Common" as the type of garter. Are Commons and Easterns really the same kind of snake? I was at a website that separated the two of them into different types of garters.

All garter species with "sirtalis" in their Latin names fall under the umbrella of "common" garter, even though each subspecies has its own name. Here's some examples. All these are all considered "common garter snake".

Oregon red spotted garter (T. sirtalis concinnus)
Eastern Garter (T. sirtalis sirtalis)
Red Sided Garter (T. sirtalis parietalis)

and any other with "sirtalis" in the name can be called "common garter". However, some people use the term "common garter snake" to apply to any garter snake even though that is not technically correct. Garters with "elegans" in their name are "Western Terrestrial" garter snakes, not "common" garter snakes.

examples of "Western terrestrial" garter snakes:

Coast Garter (T. elegans terrestris )
Wandering Garter (T. elegans vagrans)

Now, you should be totally confused by now. LoL.

This page explains it better: Garter snake - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Finalflash50]

Thank you.

He had some strange activity. I filled his waterbowl to the brim until it was almost overflowing, and then watched him swim in it. He moved around in it for a little, then coiled up and sat still at the bottom of the water for about 10 seconds, then left the water and wandered some more. I'm sure he was just enjoying his new water, but you can never be too safe with a baby garter.

[d_virginiana]

What's strange is that he didn't poop in it while he was in there out of sheer spite

[Finalflash50]

Update. His heatlight burnt out in a matter of weeks, and it was very expensive, so I'm not buying those anymore. I will give him a normal light, and put a heating pad under his rock so it can be hot even at night.

[RedSidedSPR]

A normal 60wat bulb works fine. I never buy "heat lamps" from pet stores.

[Finalflash50]

Ok he has a pad now so his tank is nice and toasty. I was getting nervous. For a few days it got a little chilly. The sun was out today so he was relaxing on one of his log tunnels. I have a picture of it.
Snake.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Looking good.

[EasternGirl]

He is a cutie! My snakes are eastern garters...females...and my biggest girl, Cee Cee...is almost 3 feet long now...which is about average for females here in Delaware. Males tend to be about 2 feet long max around here. Here is a pic of Cee Cee...you were trying to ascertain what kind of snake you have...see what you think in comparison.

Cee Cee close up.jpg

[Finalflash50]

Cee Cee is a good looking snake, although she doesn't look too much like Lightning. I still think he's an Eastern.

[EasternGirl]

Selena on stick zoom.jpgDoes he look like this? I can't really tell from your pics...