breeding qs i have a common garter snake

[eddospeeples]

Hi i am going to go get some wild garters and breed them i have had them as pets before what is the min weight for a female to breed exsample leopard gecko 45 grams min to breed and can i keep them in my rack and can i keep the cage out side?

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, eddospeeples

[Stefan-A]

Hi

Welcome aboard.

i am going to go get some wild garters and breed them

I recommend buying a pair from a reputable breeder. You have better chances of getting healthy snakes with known histories and at the same time you avoid taxing the wild population.

i have had them as pets before

They are indeed nice pets.

what is the min weight for a female to breed

Normally, people go by age. In the wild, female garters become sexually mature some time around their second brumation and males around their first. The bigger, the better.

can i keep them in my rack and can i keep the cage out side?

You can keep them in a rack, but I don't endorse the practice. Unless you happen to have an actual proper outdoor enclosure, I don't recommend keeping them outdoors, either. A normal indoor enclosure is the safest alternative.

[eddospeeples]

so then at the seconed brumation about how many grams is the female?

[guidofatherof5]

Welcome to the forum.
I would recommend getting them from a good breeder. In the long run it can save you money and the heartache of lossing the snake.

[Stefan-A]

so then at the seconed brumation about how many grams is the female?

That varies greatly, depending on the species and how well it's been fed.

[enigma200316]

if i may, i would say do your research and i mean real research before getting them and trying to have babies seriously, its fine to ask question, but for what you want you should learn all you can first....Welcome to the forum this is a great place of friends and knowledge

[drache]

welcome to the forum
take a little time and check out our new and improved care sheet - riveting literature
http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets...ake_Care_Sheet
lots of answers right there
and feel free to use the search function also because some of your questions have probably been asked before
like others here, I feel that getting a captive bred garter is better than catching one wild
before you get into breeding, besides learning what to do husbandry-wise, you should also give some thought as to what you want to do with the babies
I recommend familiarizing yourself with your local wildlife laws because it's always nice to have some awareness as to whether you're breaking any laws or not, and what that means to you

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I would also highly recommend getting captive bred garters for breeding purposes. what is the point of catching some garters out of your backyard and breeding them? they will do that on their own in the wild, and what will you do with all those babies? They are a LOT of work, they must eat every day when they are first born. I only say that because many people become very surprised when they have their first clutch of garters and find themselves bogged down by all the work and worry of making sure they are all getting enough to eat. As long as you are prepared for it, you shouldn't have much trouble. but if you aren't the babies will die quickly as they are not forgiving of any mistakes and starve faster than any other snake. Also, check your state laws and make sure that it isn't illegal to collect/breed/sell your local species of garter snake. You can get some really cool types and color morphs of garters from breeders. The weights vary greatly by species and how much the snake eats, as Stefan mentioned. They are very rewarding to keep, the coolest snake there is hands down! My first snakes were always garters I found outside as a kid, I would keep them for the summer and feed them worms, and then release them before fall.... I have come a long way since then!

[wadih]

Although I totally agree with all the previously written posts suggesting to buy the snake from a breeder, I suggest if you insist on getting them from the wild to wait till August or even September to try to catch the snake. During that period, it will be much easier for you to identify the pregnant snake from others, where it will be bigger and thicker that all the rest. Keep it for a month or two and you can get the babies.

However, I think it is your first time to keep a garter snake, it would be better to get adults from a breeder since they are much easier to keep and take care of than babies (as shannon said). That will give you a good way to learn more about their habits and feeding methods. Then you can go for the babies and try to keep them alive.

Any way, with any method you start with I wish you luck, and in all cases welcome to the garter world