Intro

[kerensa]

Hello, My name is Kerensa.

I have been keeping reptiles for over 20 years. Recently I decided I was going to get some Garter snakes.
I think that I am most interested in the Eastern, and am considering them solely at this point. (although I've seen some
Prairie that tempt me.)
I'm here for a number or reasons, the first is research. Of course only an idiot would get a new pet with out
doing any sort of research. I may be many things, I hope I'm not an idiot.
The second is I hope to find better sources of Easterns then I had access to previously. There is a local pet store I could
purchase some from, they are not expensive. Neither are the snakes robust in my opinion. They are still fairly small (about 12 inches),
and may turn out healthy and strong in the long run; however, I am not impressed. They appear to either have suffered malnutrition
at some point (or perhaps still) or to be inbred. In any case they are not snakes I wish to have in my collection at this point.
The third reason is to be able to discuss my interest with others whom share it. I'm sure everyone else is here because they are
devoted to avoiding such conversation, right? yeah, I thought not.

A little about myself. I am back in college, finishing up a couple of degrees. (anthropology-concentration archeology, and fine arts concentration sculpture and pottery) More about this later if anyone is actually interested and wishes to hear about the Chemical analysis of ancient remains, or the seriation of several thousand pottery shards.

I have been throwing some hides and bathing bowls on the wheel. I found that the hides I can purchase locally are either wood, which can not be cleaned to my satisfaction, or cast resin that when I checked carefully had rough or sharp spots that I did not wish to risk my snakes with. The bathing bowls, well to get very large ones I am again only able to find cast resin. I much prefer something I can sterilize in the oven if need be that will never absorb any chemicals from cleaning. There is also something of an esthetic urge here as well which is simply not served by ugly sharp edged plastic resin.

Well I have most likely bored you all enough for now. Hope you have a wonderful day.

Kerensa

[ProXimuS]

Hello and welcome!! You've come to the best place for garter discussions and interests

[kerensa]

Hello and welcome!! You've come to the best place for garter discussions and interests

I was sort of thinking that just *might* be the case. I mean sure it's a long shot right? but hey why not take the chance the guess was right?

[katach]

Welcome to the forum family!

[guidofatherof5]

Nice to have you on the forum.
Making your own custom hides and water dishes is very cool.
Here is a link to the forum care sheet which is always a good read.
We are here to help so ask any questions not answered in the care sheet.
Where are you located?
Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet

[kerensa]

Nice to have you on the forum.
Making your own custom hides and water dishes is very cool.
Here is a link to the forum care sheet which is always a good read.
We are here to help so ask any questions not answered in the care sheet.
Where are you located?
Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet

Thanks for the welcome.
making the hides and water dishes is mostly due to the fact that a cone 10 ceramic is vitreous and will not absorb liquids, is very easy to steralize, and the glazes allow for a super smooth surface that can be made quite attractive. I do need to research my glazes for water dishes and baths since I do not know if the water is or becomes slightly acidic. Some glazes are not what I consider safe, although they may be I'm simply not willing to risk large quantities of heavy metal pigments. Its also very pleasant to be able to hides that look like ancient amphora etc.
yes, I had already searched out that care sheet. I am particularly pleased to have the list of safe fish. I'll likely feed mice, however I also like the options of having safe variety.
I am in New york.

[ProXimuS]

If you're feeding mice, I do believe the safest thing is to give pinkies. If I'm not mistaken the full grown mice, and maybe the hoppers too, can cause hair clogs.

[guidofatherof5]

If you're feeding mice, I do believe the safest thing is to give pinkies. If I'm not mistaken the full grown mice, and maybe the hoppers too, can cause hair clogs.

I lost a very good snake to a hair impaction. No more rodents with fur for my garters.

[gazzamann]

welcome !!! good job i read this thread as im still fairly new to garter keeping , feeding mine on pinkies didnt no hair effected them , cheers for the info

[kerensa]

If you're feeding mice, I do believe the safest thing is to give pinkies. If I'm not mistaken the full grown mice, and maybe the hoppers too, can cause hair clogs.

That is my understanding.
However I have a nice colony of mice, so pinkies should not be an issue. and if all else fails I can buy them frozen. Thank you however for mentioning it.