Pictures of Sammy and questions

[Sssssnakey]

Just wanted to say that Sammy is a gorgeous snake. Looks quite pampered, too. I love it. Great job Mom!

btw, the neighborhood boys brought home our first garter and now I have 4

Thanks! I like pampering her! btw I may be getting another one tomorrow. The neighbors I rescued Sammy from found another one and are saving it for me. The kids are all for snake rescue now. I'm just glad that since I couldn't go get it tonight that their mom let them keep it until tomorrow. Who knows maybe I'll hook my friend (their mom) into keeping a garter someday, but I'm not counting on it as she's kind of freaked out by snakes. I can't see why, they're beautiful and so fascinating!

Sammy completed her first shed in captivity tonight. I didn't get to see her, but when Toria went into her room at bed time she came out screaming, "she shed, she shed, she shed!" We all went running in there and Sammy was really active and happy again. We got her out and played with her for awhile. She's so much fun!

They shed was complete, the eye caps were there and the whole tail. She is so soft now and her colors are much more vivid and her markings are more distinct.

I'm really wondering if my neighbors found a male that could be one of her previous mates since it's from the same yard, and I think in the same spot. Who knows, maybe I'll have to get a breeder's permit. Although I think I'll wait on that for now. I'm still learning so much. I've got a long way to go.

If it is a male and I keep them in the same cage will they mate even though they've both likely been out of brumation for awhile?

[ssssnakeluvr]

no, they won't breed, but, she might already be gravid...garters mate right after coming out of brumation....

[Sssssnakey]

Hmmm, how long is gestation?

[ssssnakeluvr]

90-120 days....be watching for the back third of her body to get fat...the scales parting.... she will go off feed a week or 2 before shedding (generally, but not always, my orange eastern fed right up until time to pop), she will also shed a week or so before giving birth.

[Sssssnakey]

Thanks! I'm nervous already. I wonder if she is gravid. Now I think I'll go have dreams of baby snakies.

[guidofatherof5]

Now I think I'll go have dreams of baby snakies.

That's crazy talk. Dreams about snakes, who ever heard of such a thing

[Sssssnakey]

I think dreaming of baby snakes could be considered less crazy than my random idea the other day of a water park for garter snakes. Then I had an even more "interesting" (another way to say crazy) idea of snake races.

In the snake races each snake handler would have a identical, long, twisted, clear tube that could be adjusted differently for each race. Multiple handlers would put their snake into their tube. Then they'd each put their snake's favorite food in the opposite end and turn on a fan that would blow the scent back through the tube to their snake enticing it to come get it's prey. Then the race would be on to see whose snake was the fastest at getting to their prey. lol

I think I have way to much driving time on my hands (taxi mom) and too little entertainment in my suv.

[guidofatherof5]

Snake Races? Well I never.

You are going to fit in just fine with the rest of us nuts(speaking only for myself and maybe Greg)
Sorry Greg, I saw an opportunity and I took it. I figure with the mental strain your under right now, you wouldn't care.

[Sssssnakey]

Hey this could become the newest hit for betting in Vegas. lol Or you could just call it the coping mechanism of a bored mind (when driving kids everywhere) that is experiencing mild sleep deprivation.