you have got to be kidding me!

[guidofatherof5]

Snakes as a rule grow throughout their lives. Growth spurts are common and your snake may still be in one. I think you could see another 6-8 inches, which would put it at a normal length.
Refresh our memories. How are you measuring? What are you feeding? How often are you feeding?
Thanks for the info.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

it is not unheard of for a healthy well fed female garter snake of certain species to reach 4 feet in length. I have seen some HUMONGOUS garter snakes. I am sure a few fellow members have also. She shouldn't get any bigger than 4, but checkered garter snakes do have the tendency to get MASSIVE!!!

[mtolypetsupply]

Snakes as a rule grow throughout their lives.

Does breeding "stunt their growth" like it does in other species?

[guidofatherof5]

Does breeding "stunt their growth" like it does in other species?

Considering how large most of the females grow, I wouldn't think so. I think they are meant to breed as often as they can and to grow as large as they can to produce more offspring.
I worried about letting my largest radix(Speckle) breed again this year since she had some stillborn trouble with her last group. Now, I'm leaning towards allowing her to breed if she wants. I figure if she needs a break from the reproductive cycle her body will know it and she won't ovulate. I would feel a little guilty if I took her out of the breeding cycle and she passed a load of jellies. At least that's my thinking.