Miracle find

[guidofatherof5]

For the last month my old man Scar has been an eating machine. I've offered food daily and on only one occasion did he turn it down. In most cases feeding an adult everyday would be too much but not for him.
When Scar was recovered outside this Spring he was under weight and had lost much of his muscle tone. I attributed this to being out in the early Spring when his food sources were not readily available. He adjusted back to home life rather quickly and his eating became regular, again. He never regained that muscle tone he had once had. With most snakes, when you pick them up they move, pulling their bodies through your hand or at least while sitting there they are in a "ready to go" position. Scar doesn't do that. His body hangs and he makes very little effort to move, unless his body is being held horizontally. For all the eating he does(worms and pinkies) he isn't putting on any weight. He's not filling out and gaining muscle or fat mass.
In my work with radixes that usually means he's coming to the end of his life. One of his last mates(Bigbig) did the same thing before I had to put her down.
Scar is still very alert and a joy to have out. The other night I took him out while I watch a movie. He sat on a heated blanket the whole time. It was on high and he was covered up with only his head sticking out. After a few moments on the blanket the tongue flicking stopped and his head settled down onto the blanket. The old man fell asleep. Kids walking and running by, the dog walking by, all the activity of a house full of kids didn't phase him. When the movie was over I poured him into my hand and he returned to his enclosure. I wish I would have taken some video of him when he came to the Ranch. He was totally out of control. At the sight of a human, dog, anything he went crazy in his enclosure. This went on for months. It was a very slow process getting his to trust me but well worth the time.
Now I look at him and pray I can have 1 more year from him. Just one more breeding season from him. Looking at his face you see a young snake. He's ready for anything but his body is getting tired. He has been a blessing to have here on the Ranch. He is not only loved by my children but by hundreds of my students. Many times they will ask how's Scar is doing? before they even say hello to me. This old beat-up snake has made a big impact on a lot of children.

[brubru2]

That is heartwarming. Younger kids starting to care more about snakes.

[guidofatherof5]

I think of garter snakes as the great snake ambassadors. When I take them into the schools they are something the student recognize. They are small and for the students who are afraid of snakes, pulling out a 10 foot python might turn them off. A small garter snake keeps their mind open. Granted there are some students who stand in the back of the room or ask to leave because of their fear.
Of course, my students have heard many stories about my snakes and feel they know them.
Scar is the big hit of the presentation. Our girl Lucky is also very popular.
After I retire I will miss going into the schools with my snakes. I'll still try and hope I have a few doors left open to me.

[guidofatherof5]

I just did a weight check on Scar and he's put on 3 grams in the last month. Seeing him every day I didn't see the gain.
I'm feeling much better about my man. His muscle tone is still way off what it was but I'm not complaining. Having a weight gain is a great thing.
You go, boy!

[drache]

sounds hopeful, like he's going to be around a while longer

[guidofatherof5]

I thought I would close out this thread.
I learned more about male garter snake behavior from my boy Scar. He was one special snake. I miss the old man, everyday.
Thanks for everything, Son You are not forgotten.

[Mommy2many]

Thank you for telling us about your boy Scar.

[guidofatherof5]

The telling will continue. When I do presentations he will still be talked about and pictures shared.
I've only had 2 males that have had a profound effect on me. He's one of them.
Scar's life will make a good book, someday.
Looking forward to writing it in his honor.
I still owe him for what he did for me.

[guidofatherof5]

It's been over a year since this thread basically shutdown with the death of my wonderful male radix Scar. Now it looks like I will revive it with this miracle.

A few weeks ago I took a beautiful green head female radix outside for a photo shoot. I wanted to send Snakehill a few photos as she will be adopting this beautiful girl.
I dropped her and she fell under my rear deck. My deck is covered on all side so by the time I ripped it open she was gone. I felt terrible as she was safe in the house and now she was at the mercy of nature and all that entails.
Fast forward to a few moments ago. Gabby came running up from the flooded basement holding a snake she caught swimming across the snake room floor.
Yes, it's the same female that I dropped. She came back home.
Unbelieveable.
Prayers answered

[kibakiba]

Nice! Looks like she just wanted to explore a little bit before coming home