[GarterGuy]

Howdy and welcome to the forum. As far as tank size, I like to use this little formula.....I allow 125 square inches of cage space, per foot of snake. I like to give my snakes plenty of room to move around and stretch out. As far as anything else to look for, I'd make sure that the cage is well secured (with a good top....garters are escape artist) and that the snakes are good and healthy. They should be alert and active and should have good weight to them (not be overly thin with hanging skin). Also ask to handle them, when you do, make sure they're just not limp in your hands, feel for any lumps or bumps in the body and check to see if they've got any mites on them (it'll look like little dots of pepper on the snake and your hands). It's good to be careful and picky with them.....cheap snakes might be tempting, but if they've got issues you could be paying in the end with vet bills or possibly two dead snakes.