New snake owner

[beaniesmommy]

Ok, so my husband was up camping in western Washington and he decided it would be a good idea and bring a garter snake home to feed to our Pacman frog. I have told him so many times do not bring things home that are cute and show them to my daughter, who is a replica of Bindi Erwin. Both her and I completely protested and we now have the coolest, sweetest and best pet yet. We are so excited to have a snake! We went out and bought everything we think we need and so far she seems to be thriving in her new home. We call her a girl but really we don't know what she is. I was happy to find this site and I am hoping that I can pick your brains to help us make sure we give our new family member (Tilly short for Matilda) a great life. She has a twenty gallon tank with a reptile heating pad, basking light, a log to hide under, a large bowl of non-chlorinated spring water, sticks to climb on, snake bedding and large rock to chill on. Any other ideas? She didn't like mealworms or earthworms. I did get her to eat a fish but I am a little confused by the thiamine-deficiency. She is olive green with three yellow stripes, one really yellow down the middle and two lighter on each side. She is about two feet long and is pretty thin. I think that is everything I can think of... Some feeding ideas would help and I would like to know what kind of Garter snake she is. Thank you ahead of time for your replys.

[adamanteus]

Here's a good start.....
http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets...ake_Care_Sheet

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard.

Have a look at our photographic library.
http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets...raphic_Library

[gregmonsta]

Welcome .... and .... be warned .... WE WANT PICS!!!

[drache]

welcome to the forum
it sounds like you've got all the basics covered quite nicely
what kind of fish did Tilly take? was is a live one?
it's a real good sign she ate so soon
try trout or salmon strips
they won't eat mealworms or anything else with an exoskeleton
and while they're supposed to all love earthworms, I myself find that only a few of mine will take them
congratulations - Tilly sound like a beauty

[Zephyr]

Hmm... No interest in worms... Three stripes, very skinny...
I'm going to say she's a ribbon snake. Possibly Thamnophis proximus orarius, but I do not know their range.

[andyoconnor83]

technically there are not supposed to be any ribbon snakes here, although i know of a locale where I have found some in the past. a picture would help us identify it for you and let you know what prey it might like best!

Also I am not lecturing by any means because I don't like it and don't think it should apply to such common animals as tree frogs and garter snakes, but Washington has a strict no collection of wild reptiles law that your husband broke. I doubt that their are any Washington state dept. of F&G lurking on these boards, but they are on some websites and you never know. I think it's a stupid rule and at the least we should model after California and have licenses to collect reptiles. I find it hard to believe that a game warden could have busted me when I was 6 and stuffing 5 gallon buckets full of snakes and frogs, but it is the law.

please post some pictures of your new pet!

[beaniesmommy]

Thank you for you help! I tried to use Photobucket to post some pictures. I am not sure if this works maybe someone else hase a better site to use.

I went and took these pictures and I am not concerned... Her eyes are foggy? I hope she is OK. The fish she ate was a guppy. I will get her some trout peices today, that was actually what my husband was doing when he was camping so he brough home a ton of trout. I had no idea about the law in Washington. We also used to catch them when we we kids. Wow we were bad.

Let me know what you think.
Andrea

[jeanette]

hello and welcome

[Lori P]

She's very pretty!! The care sheets are a great place to start but then ask away with any other questions. :-)