New Garter Momma

[enchantress68]

No babies, just my first garter snake. A co-worker was moving and couldn't take the snake, so we were holding it for another friend, but that friend decided to move unexpectedly (as in she's already gone). Thankfully we were prepared for that to happen, otherwise, we wouldn't have been willing to hold the snake for her. At least now we know the snake will be well taken care of.

I believe she's female based on the tapering of the tail, but we haven't decided on a name yet. I know I'm not crazy about the male name her previous owners gave her, which I won't divulge for fear of offending anyone here. She's currently on a fish diet, however next feeding I plan to offer her a pinkie. Hopefully I can transition her to mice easily and just offer her fish as a treat. She's about 1 1/2 feet long, but I'm not sure how old she is. Is there a way to tell by her length? And she's kind of greenish-yellow near her head and has red markings along her sides that kind of flash when she's breathing hard (or show continuously when her belly is full!). She is beautiful!

I also have a 3 year old ball python named Aradia. I thought it was very interesting how different the two snakes feel and move. Aradia is very smooth and slow, whereas the garter snake's scales are kind of rough and she's quick. Not rough as in unhealthy, but she's a much better climber!

I'm glad I found this forum! You guys have already helped me out immensely!

Thanks,
Andrea

[adamanteus]

Hi Andrea, and welcome to the forum. I'm glad we have been of service!

[enchantress68]

Thanks! This has definitely been a learning experience!


One of the things that's taking a while to get used to is that she "strikes" at nearly everything that comes into or near her enclosure. It made me a little jumpy at first until I realized that she's not doing it with her mouth open. So she's basically just 'tapping' everything, including my hand. I don't think her previous owners handled her much. Hopefully she'll settle down with a little TLC.


Andrea

[Snaky]

Welcome to the forum. Which garter is it? You may always post a picture of her

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard, Andrea.

[adamanteus]

Andrea, if you would like to post pictures of your snake, here's how;
Guide to posting pictures.

[enchantress68]

Apparently she's an Eastern Garter Snake, because she looks almost just like this:
http://bolt.lakeheadu.ca/~borfor/reptiles/garter_snake.htm

Andrea

[Stefan-A]

If I'm not mistaken, that's a red-sided garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) in the picture.

I know a lot of sites are a bit confused regarding the common names (or maybe they are interchangeable, who knows), but T. sirtalis is the common garter, the eastern garter would be one of its subspecies, T. s. sirtalis.

[chris87]

welcome to the forum. and hope u like it

[adamanteus]

I think you'll find Stefan is right. It looks Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis to me.