The snakes are out!!!!

[Loren]

Okay guys, this Butler's thing has been mentioned too many times........I'm not really supposed to keep a Butler's so could we just pretend it's a plain old sirtalis???

That is a beautiful snake, and I dont know what it is, but remember, its not really what you say it is that matters, but what your local Fish and Game says it is.

According to the Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Reptiles and Amphibians- Butlers have a side stripe on half of row 2, all of row 3, and half of row 4. Easterns have a side stripe confined to rows 2 and 3.

[anji1971]

That is a beautiful snake, and I dont know what it is, but remember, its not really what you say it is that matters, but what your local Fish and Game says it is.

According to the Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Reptiles and Amphibians- Butlers have a side stripe on half of row 2, all of row 3, and half of row 4. Easterns have a side stripe confined to rows 2 and 3.

Thanks for that info, Loren. I ran to check him as soon as I read this, but the little guy is buried deep in the aspen, digesting his latest meal, so I will not disturb him right now.

[anji1971]

According to the Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Reptiles and Amphibians- Butlers have a side stripe on half of row 2, all of row 3, and half of row 4. Easterns have a side stripe confined to rows 2 and 3.

I had a close look at his scales, and compared them to Deejay. I am almost 100% sure that I do indeed have a Butler's garter. And I am definitely NOT sure I'm pleased about it, because it means I'm going to have to release him back to his natural habitat.
We have pretty clear government guidelines to endangered species, and I certainly don't want to commit any offense against those acts.
Besides, as someone who would be the first to yell at anyone deliberately taking or damaging the habitat of a threatened species, it would be a bit hypocritical of me to keep one for my own selfish purposes.
So little Twister is going home as soon as I can get him back there. But, I am going to contact the people at our local nature reserve, and let them know that I have found Butler's in the location I did, just in case they aren't aware of them being there. Maybe they can do more to protect that area, so the snakes can be safe and thrive.
Of course, I'm crying my eyes out as I type this, 'cause I really really am going to miss the little guy.

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

aww anji you dont have to let him go, hell be safer with you, and i doubt that any1s gunna know that u have a butler or the people who do wont care

I had a close look at his scales, and compared them to Deejay. I am almost 100% sure that I do indeed have a Butler's garter. And I am definitely NOT sure I'm pleased about it, because it means I'm going to have to release him back to his natural habitat.
We have pretty clear government guidelines to endangered species, and I certainly don't want to commit any offense against those acts.
Besides, as someone who would be the first to yell at anyone deliberately taking or damaging the habitat of a threatened species, it would be a bit hypocritical of me to keep one for my own selfish purposes.
So little Twister is going home as soon as I can get him back there. But, I am going to contact the people at our local nature reserve, and let them know that I have found Butler's in the location I did, just in case they aren't aware of them being there. Maybe they can do more to protect that area, so the snakes can be safe and thrive.
Of course, I'm crying my eyes out as I type this, 'cause I really really am going to miss the little guy.

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

u could even get another butler (secretly) of the opposite sex and breed them and release the babies into your backyard to help repopulate them

[adamanteus]

u could even get another butler (secretly) of the opposite sex and breed them and release the babies into your backyard to help repopulate them

Obviously this would be a very bad idea. Butlers are protected for very good reasons. If every one who loved Garters collected 'just two' the species would be decimated.
If it is indeed a Butlers, at least you know where to go to observe them in the wild.... and you can always take loads of photos before you release it.

[Stefan-A]

Obviously this would be a very bad idea. Butlers are protected for very good reasons. If every one who loved Garters collected 'just two' the species would be decimated.

Well, it's not a great idea to collect wild animals to begin with, whether or not they're protected. But it is especially bad when they are.

[anji1971]

Well, I talked to a man at the Nature Center, who seemed quite happy to think that I may have found a Butler's on the other end of town! I'm going to email him some pics, and I also directed him to this forum, so he can look at the ones I've already posted.
If it turns out that his ID is confirmed, then Twister will be returned home on the weekend, and I will pray that measures will be taken to protect the area I found him in, so we can hope to someday see many more of his kind!
I've gotten over the initial disappointment of having to let him go, in fact, I'm kind of hoping I've discovered something great over at that little pond..........

[Loren]

aww anji you dont have to let him go, hell be safer with you, and i doubt that any1s gunna know that u have a butler or the people who do wont care

Yeah, no one will know.
Reed, dont forget, we are on the world wide web.

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

aha..woops

Yeah, no one will know.
Reed, dont forget, we are on the world wide web.