Ok Ive done my Research

[Cazador]

Jimi,

If you put a 10" trout in a plastic Ziploc bag for 45 minutes or so, you might get enough fish slime to scent your entire mouse colony . I doubt you'll have any trouble converting them with trout onhand. Just wash the pinkies first. Then scent them, and mix them in with fish chunks, so the snake is surprised by its first mouthful of a pinkie.

Rick

[jimijaw]

Jimi,

If you put a 10" trout in a plastic Ziploc bag for 45 minutes or so, you might get enough fish slime to scent your entire mouse colony . I doubt you'll have any trouble converting them with trout onhand. Just wash the pinkies first. Then scent them, and mix them in with fish chunks, so the snake is surprised by its first mouthful of a pinkie.

Rick

That is a great idea! I will do that thanks so much!!!!! Jimi
OBTW I so far have found a pic of a Garter that really gets to me but Im not sure they are available here since the site is in dutch. I already forgot the scientific name but it also goes by narrow headed Garter. Jimi

[ClosedCasket88]

get a checkered or an eastern , they seem to take pinkies and chunks of meat alittle easyer than other subspecies . i never had problems with these guys

[GarterGuy]

Yeh, you're right James.....T. rufipunctatus is a New Mexico/Mexico species. As far as them being available.....probably not going to happen. I believe they are a protected species in their Norht American habitats and as we've found out before, everything in Mexico is protected. If found, this species is primarily a fish eater....living more like a watersnake then a garter snake (although I've heard of people getting various species of water snakes to take scented mice as well). If you're really just looking for a "pet" snake, you're best off getting a nice captive bred individual of one of the commonly bred species, like T.s.sirtalis, T.s.concinnus, T.s.parietalis, ect. These would be very used to being in captive conditions and taking captive diets.
Roy

[jimijaw]

A great big thanks to all of you for your help and Info, Next month I will be buying some garters so when I get them I will post some pics Again thank you all, Youre such a wonderful group and Im glad Im here!. Jimi