It's funny how closed minded people are to thamnophis sp.
I get heckeld by a lot of people because I like garters as well.
I have kept and worked with many species of snakes and garters are definatley at the top of the list as far as intellegence, being inquisitive, activity levels etc.
It's always funny being heckled by someone who keeps boids
" oh you keep those lame liitle snakes"
"why yes, yes I do, I prefer having snakes that are active instead of ones that only move when it's feeding time"