[Tori]

I believe that garters are considered the harmless snake for kids, a great "first snake". Which means that most garters are sold to and cared for by kids. I doubt if there is a high survival rate. Keeping in mind that inexpensive equals disposible to most people. This one dies just get another; or worse, if this one gets too big or mean just let it loose and get a baby. I would imagine that all kinds of garters have been released in areas where they are not native. To most buyers, if "garters" can be found in their area they can salve their conscious by saying their's can survive here too (meaning an area that might or might not supply the food that they will eat). That is why I have only exchanged or sold garters to people that I feel are responsible owners with enough experience to give them a good life. Someone with a larger collection than I have must be terribly bothered to know that they have very little control over what will happen to their babies. I have no intentions of going that large but even a few snakes can provide 100's of babies to find homes for. That is a big enough headache to think about for me.

Sorry, snow and ice storm here has closed where I work, so I have time to haunt the forum tonight.

Tori