My New Snake

[Finalflash50]

Years ago, for my birthday, I got my favorite animal as a present. A ribbon snake. I named him stripes. He died 4 years later. That was about 3 years ago. Last week, I found a garter snake in my garage. It is mid October, and I live in a very, very urban area. His chances of surviving this winter were dim. I didn't want to let him die, so I brought him inside, put him in a container and gathered up everything from when I had stripes. Now he is in his new home. This passed week, he hasn't wanted to eat anything, but I'm sure that once he settles into his new home, he will feast on the 10 guppies I have for him. I've decided to name him Lightning. His stripes on the side of him remind me of lightning. He is about a foot long, weighs as much as a pen, and has bright minty green stripes with a shade of orange above it. He doesn't have them yet, but I can tell in his later years, he will have checkers on his upper body.
316005_259039494131661_100000768363076_632411_1817266236_n.jpg
He will soon have multiple companions. I don't plan on making him the only snake I own.

[chris-uk]

It starts with one, then more. It sounds like you already know you want more. Welcome to the forum, you're in the right place if you'll be keeping garters.

[Finalflash50]

Thanks for the welcome. I hope someday to be a breeder of them. San Francisco garters to be specific. Slim chances though, as they are very endangered.

[katach]

Welcome to the forum family! You have a little cutie there. The care sheet is a great resource for many questions you may have.
Garter Snake Care Sheet - Caresheets

[chris-uk]

Thanks for the welcome. I hope someday to be a breeder of them. San Francisco garters to be specific. Slim chances though, as they are very endangered.

I've got half an idea that I'll get a breeding pair of tetras one day, but you're in the US aren't you? Which means for you, not only are San Francisco garters very endangered, but keeping them in captivity is also very illegal.

[guidofatherof5]

Federally protected.

http://www.epa.gov/espp/factsheets/sf-garter-snake.pdf

[Finalflash50]

I had no idea that they were as extinct as they are. It's a shame too. San Franciscos are very beautiful garter snakes.

[guidofatherof5]

They are beautiful but.......
There are many other garter snakes that are(in my opinion) equally as stunning.
Check it out.
Photographic Library - Caresheets

[katach]

T.s. infernalis is pretty close, but san frans are so beautiful. I'm partial to my plain jane NW though

[guidofatherof5]

Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.
Some of my prettiest snake are just normal/average/plain looking radixes.
To me they are stunning.