New To Garter Snakes

[Rodney]

Hey, my name is Rodney. I have been active in raising, breeding & doing rescue work with Ball Pythons for over a year now. I also do metal detecting & while I was out, doing some "Urban Dirt Fishing", I came across a decent sized snake, that I determined to not be venomous. He was in a bad area, where there were alot of kids & women walking through this park & I knew that sooner or later somebody would be stomping on this guy for no other reason other than, he was a snake. Anyway, I brought him home set him up in a tank with water & a hide & began doing some research. I think I may keep him a while, get a couple good meals in him & find a respectable place to turn him loose again, depending on what I learn about him & where a respectable place would best be. Any information would be greatly appreciated, from the two of us. We live in Syracuse, NY by the way.
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[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard.

[guidofatherof5]

Nice to have you with us. Here's a link to the forum care sheet which is always a good read.
Looks to me like you've got a T. s. pallidulus (Maritime garter snake)


Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet

[slipknot711]

welcome! this is a great forum, you will learn tons! garters are great! i have a few WC at the moment. but i also own 4 ball pythons

[Rodney]

The difference between Ball Pythons & Garter Snakes Is Huge. Generally, when I'm talking to people that are interested in buying one of mine, I run them through a series of questions & let them know EXACTLY what it takes to keep them healthy & "happy". By then, they usually change their mind & I direct them towards an easier species to care for. Now, I can add Garter snake to the list.

[Rodney]

Here are a few belly shots. As time went on, "he" was getting used to the idea that, he was going to have his picture taken. We took a break & I let him calm down, with his head inside my cupped hand on the table (like an ostrich hiding).
A.jpgB.jpgC.jpgIt was worse than trying to get a group picture, of ALL my grand kids at ONCE! lol

[guidofatherof5]

Female

[guidofatherof5]

The difference between Ball Pythons & Garter Snakes Is Huge. Generally, when I'm talking to people that are interested in buying one of mine, I run them through a series of questions & let them know EXACTLY what it takes to keep them healthy & "happy". By then, they usually change their mind & I direct them towards an easier species to care for. Now, I can add Garter snake to the list.

I know what you are saying but must add that garters can be much more labor/time intensive. They certainly poop more often and are always looking for interaction. It may not be on the scale of a BP but keeping them clean can be a daily job.

[jwolfe152]

Yes your right about a daily task (instead of chore because every day or every other day i still love doing it) btw welcome to your thamily say goodbye to your family lol j/k...but not really

[Rodney]

So you're saying it's a female? How can you tell from this blurry picture? Ball Pythons can only be sexed by either probing or popping. As a general rule, the males tail is longer & thinner than a females, which is shorter & thicker. Looks like only one piture uploaded to this forum. Let me try & upload the other two now, for a clearer view.
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