How Do You Tell if the Female is Gravid?

[jitami]

Kev, you're always one minute ahead of me... and I type fast... I must just think slow We're definitely on the same page, though... figuratively and literally I guess!

[Jack Neary]

Tami and Kevo...
Please don't misunderstand...
I plan to release all but maybe 2 o3 back back to where I found them. I would not want these babies to suffer because they were not well fed, or cared for etc...
I found my 2 Females in Mid-June. They are both good eaters of Nightcrawler worms and Minnows. (I have tried to get them to eat the Talipai and Pinkies I bought them, but no luck........)
Is August too late for them to have babies? Is there a date whereby I can say these are just 2 well fed Garter's and were not gravid?
(I can't seem to feel any babies in both there underbellies...?)
Thanks!
Jack

[jitami]

Tami and Kevo...
Please don't misunderstand...
I plan to release all but maybe 2 o3 back back to where I found them.

That's what we were getting at You seem very caring and I'm sure you'll do a wonderful job caring for the babies. I'll let the experts here field the question of how late in the year you could still expect babies or when it's safe to assume they're not gravid after all. Really, though, I would guess most mature females, found in mid June, are probably gravid Lots of babies means a greater chance for species survival and garters seem to reproduce quite well most of the time!

[Jack Neary]

That's what we were getting at You seem very caring and I'm sure you'll do a wonderful job caring for the babies. I'll let the experts here field the question of how late in the year you could still expect babies or when it's safe to assume they're not gravid after all. Really, though, I would guess most mature females, found in mid June, are probably gravid Lots of babies means a greater chance for species survival and garters seem to reproduce quite well most of the time!

Wayne,
Could you please advise, if you're reading this post?
Thanks!

[Sid]

Jack, Garters here in the south normally start producing the young in late June until late August. Some are as late as September. Your area is colder than where I live, so I would guess that September is even more normal for births than here. Hope this helps a little.

[anji1971]

Around here, we have different times for birthing. My first garter had hers at the end of July. But Chili, after a milder winter, gave birth in mid-June. I've seen babies earlier, and later than that outside.
I'd say by the end of August, beginning of September, you'll know for sure one way or the other.

[infernalis]

Jack, Look for your PM.