Gravid Females...

[Chondro788]

Thanks, this year will probably be pretty crazy. I was not expecting so many females to breed so well and now become gravid. This is my first "big" year, and it certainly looks as though I will have my hands full.

The albino Red Sided is a 2010 animal from Jeff. She is not huge, probably in the 24"-28" range. She is absolutely one of my favorites though, and was part of the first group of garters I ever bought.

The NY Het eats large mice, and I usually feed my gravid feamles twice a week to keep them fat and happy during this time of year. That said, her last few meals have been 2 small mice, as she is really fat, and I don't really want her putting on more weight, other then babies. The fact that she has some Florida blood in her may be why she is turning out to be such a large adult. The only other garter I have in her size range is a female similis who is about the same size, but was not bred.

[Chondro788]

Here you go Joe...

gravidebn.jpg

I'm thinking this girl will give me some babies too...
gravidalbino.jpg

And just some other pics I took recently. First is my albino coast garter. He has not been eating as much as I would like, but only when he wants to, so hes a little thin.
albinocoast.jpg

And my "red hypo". She is just plain awesome, I love her burgandy coloration...
redhypo.jpg

[reptileparadise]

The albino Red Sided is a 2010 animal from Jeff. She is not huge, probably in the 24"-28" range. She is absolutely one of my favorites though, and was part of the first group of garters I ever bought.

The NY Het eats large mice, and I usually feed my gravid feamles twice a week to keep them fat and happy during this time of year. That said, her last few meals have been 2 small mice, as she is really fat, and I don't really want her putting on more weight, other then babies. The fact that she has some Florida blood in her may be why she is turning out to be such a large adult. The only other garter I have in her size range is a female similis who is about the same size, but was not bred.

Easy to tell that the parietalis is very young indeed. She still has her baby face. Wondering what she'll produce for you. Is she fed mice as well?

Curious to see what comes from this. Not morph-wise, more baby wise. She'll certainly be gaining weight, but I doubt it'll be from big/healthy babies...Good luck with her. I sincerely hope you'll keep us updated on both the babies and the adults.

The female from you died last year

Did you have it checked? Wat was the cause of death if I may ask (PM welcome as well...)

*Disclaimer;
My reaction above might sound/look very dark and negativ, but I must honoustly admit (thats what forums are for right, sharing experience) that your feeding regime seems to be WAY to much.
From the past 16 years we've been breeding these guys, we've spoken with dozens of keepers with various diets and all I can/wan't to say, without starting the same old fish/mice discussion again, is that not many where succesful breeders (succesful as in breeding many years in a row and then still having live adults that live well up to 15/20 years of age without breeding....)
Hope you'll understand