Hello

[jay0133]

Hello, I'm new to this site. I was referred here from a member of "thamnophis.com"
However I am not new to snakes, I keep a few different species. I would like to expand into keeping Garter snakes. I am from Southern Ontario. If anyone has a reference to get a good quality Garter in Southern Ontario, let me know.

[jay0133]

Money is not an issue, the type of garters I like are the Eastern with high reds, but I believe they are illegal for me to
keep. I would like to start out with one easy garter snake.

[RedSidedSPR]

welcome to the forum!

Hmm you look familiar...

[jay0133]

Lol, evey minute on this forum I'm wanting a garter soo bad there are so many color variations. Growing up in the country I under the understanding that garters are those pesky black with yellow stipe that shoot stinky stuff on you.

[RedSidedSPR]

Pfft. That's their rep alright. Nah, they're the best. Theyre all have different personalities, they are active, smart... And there's 70 species/subspecies plus all the morphs.

They are not just those "garden snakes" so many people make it seem.

They are the best.

[jay0133]

What would you recommend for a first time garter owner?

[RedSidedSPR]

Well most garters are pretty much all the same "skill level"... So really any. I guess though, a sirtalis subspecies... I think you could handle any though.

[guidofatherof5]

Welcome to the forum.
You come to us with a very good reference.
I must recommend T.radix (Plains Garter Snake). Plains Garter Snake - Caresheets
Here is the forum care sheet. The care of them is very different then other snakes.
Garter Snake Care Sheet - Caresheets

[katach]

Welcome to the forum family!
I recommend a NW, but I'm biased. They are a smaller garter, topping out at around 24in. They are sweet and calm. I haves found they are easy to switch to pinkies and other types of food with scenting, but others have had a hard time. They have a variety of coloration to choose from. They house well together, except for food time, they can guard and steal (but that can be any type). I love the NW.

[RedSidedSPR]

My favorite is red sideds, I have two... Very outward and calm in a laid back way... They seem to like water more them my others, i trickle water on their faces and they just love ir. They "ask" for more like they would food. They swim alot, and mine eat out of water more rather then a dish (except i usually tong feed) and also like fish better then anytuing and more than my others. Dont know if that's typical but since both mine are lik that so i wouldnt doubt it.

BUT... red spotted is fast becoming my favorite. I have one, and he's the sweetest guy EVER, so so so calm, but ACTIVE DAY. And he's BIG, he'll probably be like 3 feet (big for a male). they tend to get big, females especially as always.

I also have a checkered - Checkereds are very widely available, eat EVERYTHING (mine has never refused a thing) and most aret vicious beasts like mine.

And an eastern as you know, my flame. He's weird. Goes NUTS at feeding time, dives in the water if t moves... sometimes I wonder if he is a little....underdeveloped. He'll bit on impulse too. Basically I can't say easterns are great cause mine abnormally fruity.