First fond of the year!!! (Trax the Butlers Garter)

[Selkielass]

Went for a alk yesterday with my husband along a railroad spur belonging to the Michigan Transit museum ( Michigan Transit Museum )
This spur runs thru some great garter habitat, but until yesterday we'd seen no garters.

My husband spotted some movement in the weeds between the track and a large ditch, investigated, and pulled out a small, very dark colored Butlers garter snake!

It was very calm, and I thought at first it was gravely injured. Really , it *had* been gravely injured, but was very nearly healed. Looks like it was attacked by a dog- It has a number of puncture wounds on neck and upper body, and a large chunk of its side missing about 1/3 of the way down its body, with an injury right over the spine nearby.

All injuries were well scabbed over, but it was hanging so limply in my grasp I thought it was partially paralyzed or very ill, and decided to bring it home. The only positive sign was plenty of tongue flicking, and alert, curious head motions. Fortunately as it warmed in my hands, it became more active and curious, and began gripping my fingers with body and tail.

Brought it home, cleaned it up, gave it an iodine soak for its injuries and set it up in my spare aquarium, where it promptly set about exploring and people watching- this little guy is fearless! Hasn't disappeared into its hides even once, and two little worms disappeared without a trace.

This morning "Trax" was out sunning itself on its branch with two petals of newly shed skin framing its face. It was having lots of problems working off the skin and freeing it from the many scabs, so I misted the cage well and checked in periodically to see how it was going.

After an hour or so, Trax managed to work off the injured areas of skin and once past the large side injury its skin slipped easily.

S/he is still terribly battle-scarred, (Missing half of two belly scales and 4-5 rows of side scales above them, plus numerous puncture scars.) but this little fighter is amazingly calm and terribly curious about people- It actually comes up to the glass to investigate when people enter the room.

I've got some pictures pre-shed, I'll try to get a few more showing the freshly healed punctures and the crater on its side- I'm really amazed that this little creature survived these injuries with few apparent ill effects.

[PINJOHN]

a really heart warming tale and a welcome counterpoint to the events depicted in threads like Steve's recent one about the murdered garters, its just possible that you and this little hero were destined to meet

[ConcinusMan]

The species is listed as endangered in several states including Michigan isn't it? or at least it used to be? I've heard numerous posts to that affect, or posts stating they couldn't touch them due to them being protected.

I also don't see the point in trying to "rescue" a snake that obviously survived the trauma and was in the process of healing on it's own. Don't get me wrong, I know you're well intentioned, but I still think the snake was probably going to be just fine left alone.

[Selkielass]

Butlers are common in Michigan, and we are permitted to have 6 wild caught garter snakes 'For personal use'. Truth is they are pretty much unprotected, and turn up in pet stores about as often as easterns and ribbon snakes.

Got the pictures here finally!
Trax is doing great, and now that we know where/what time to look, we have seen several more snakes sunning themselves along the same stretch of track and drainage ditch. One is a very large gravid female, so the population seems healthy.

Trax seems to be enjoying 'spa life' and shows little or no fear handled. My sons Montessori school has expressed interest in a new class snake, and Trax seems like an excellent candidate for the position. (Small, active, gentle and an eager worm eater.)

Does Trax look like a male or a female? I can't make up my mind.





Post shed.

[Selkielass]

More post-shed pics.

[guidofatherof5]

Trax is a great looking female.
"Tough as nail" they are.

[ConcinusMan]

Yup. Girlie girl.

[Selkielass]

Thanks.
She's fattening up nicely, but I don't think she's pregnant. (Would be pleased if she is!)
Jay's school is sort of hoping for a male (Smaller), so we will continue to keep our eyes open, but Trax is such a sweetie that we won't rule her out as 'school ambassador'.

[guidofatherof5]

Glad to hear trax is doing well.