First time here.

[kueluck]

Headed to ReptiCon in Columbia SC this coming weekend and for my 25^th wedding anniversary I'll be getting a snake. I love the garters, but what about a rough green snake? I will be limited to one snake in the house so I need to be sure on what I pick. Eastern Garter or Rough Green. What are pros and cons of these? I know you guys are all partial to the garters but I really do appreciate all your input.

[kibakiba]

Rough greens don't last very long in captivity and have a difficult diet.

[EasternGirl]

I don't really know anything about them. I do know that at the risk of sounding biased, with a garter, you will have this forum and our help in taking care of your new snake. Not that we would shun you or not help you if you had a different kind of snake...we just might not know a lot about another kind of snake...some people have experience with other kinds of snakes, it would depend on the kind of snake.

[chris-uk]

I've not kept rough greens, but in April's Practical Reptile Keeper there's an article where a comparison is made between rough greens and ribbons. They say in the article that rough greens can be difficult to keep because they aren't particularly hardy and feeding can be a problem (not sure exactly why, apparently some issue with the gut flora of rough greens).

[Natrix]

If you really want a 'green' snake then this should be robust enough for you?
Green Bush Ratsnake -- (Elaphe prasina)

Other than that I think most would second what Marnie has said. There is a wealth of knowledge on here, don't be afraid to ask questions. Most Rough Green snakes are wild caught and don't do very well in captivity, They are certainly not a beginners snake. They are arborial in nature, so need space to climb they are better kept in small groups and have a specialist invertabrate diet. They need lots of foliage and fairly high humidity. The more secure they feel the better their chances of survival. Hope this helps?

[chris-uk]

If we're on rat snakes... Our local shop has one of these in at the moment :
Japanese Ratsnake -- (Elaphe climacophora)

Beautiful green colours, maybe not as arboreal as a rough green, but the pattern of the scales is something that needs to be seen close up. I'd be tempted, but it's on the large side and I don't have room right now.

See, we may be garter folk, but we can help a little with other species.

[EasternGirl]

Very nice...looks kind of like a garter in the face.

[Natrix]

If we're on rat snakes... Our local shop has one of these in at the moment :
Japanese Ratsnake -- (Elaphe climacophora)

Beautiful green colours, maybe not as arboreal as a rough green, but the pattern of the scales is something that needs to be seen close up. I'd be tempted, but it's on the large side and I don't have room right now.
See, we may be garter folk, but we can help a little with other species.

What sort of price are they asking Chris?

[Natrix]

Very nice...looks kind of like a garter in the face.

But not as nice as these33608_163758150315577_154836631207729_443160_7280679_n.jpg Tai Bamboo Ratsnake.

[chris-uk]

What sort of price are they asking Chris?

I think they're asking £160, not sure how old it is, it's not a neonate, looked to be around 3 feet already.
I'd not noticed it before, but it was out when I went in on Sunday and they said they'd had it in for a few months so may be a bit of wiggle room if you were interested. It's in KBN Reptiles in Coventry, they're relatively new and the website isn't great but I'd expect a quick response if you email: KBN Reptiles - Coventry - UK