puget sounds *pics*

[snakeman]

The problem with these snakes is he probally had a ton of them housed together.He raided a den early in the spring and got a ton of them.The people who got theirs early probally had no problems.After being housed together for a month or so thats when the problem snakes got sent out.

[Cazador]

Hey snakeman,
I suspect that you're right about raiding the den for a few reasons, but that's another story. I bought four from him (2 adults and two yearlings). Unfortunately, the yearlings both died. One died within 2-3 weeks of arrival, and the other one showed similar symptoms, like failure to eat developing into runny stool (although not particularily smelly). Eventually the symptoms progressed into gaping mouth and lethargy, and finally came uncoordination and death. It wasn't pretty. The second yearling started showing similar signs. When it stopped eating for just over a week, I started force feeding it. This seemed to prolong it's life, but ultimately, it suffered the same fate as the yearling female.

I started medicating the adults before they showed any of the symptoms, and today, their feces is free of parasites, and I'm happy to report, they're in excellent health. In fact, I've been withholding their food for about 2 weeks and have been dropping their temperature and photoperiod in preparation for brumation. I don't know if you'd consider this a success story or not, but I believe his snakes are fragile and should be considered heavily parasitized. If you order from him, my advise is to check the fecal samples and be prepared to treat them. I haven't had any problems with mites on them, but others have who ordered from him.

Marian,
I hope your snakes are healthy and thriving, and I also hope you'll keep us informed.

Rick

[GarterGuy]

All three of my neonates that I got from "Bob" suffered the same type of demise described by Rick. Also, I found some mites on them as well. One never ate, one ate very well....even shed and then died and the other didn't eat at first, then started eating well....then died. Very frustrating and sad.

[Tori]

I was considering buying a couple from Bob. I take it that that is a bad idea? Did treating for parasites help? That's too bad, just glad I held off and bought a male California red-sided instead. But I was still thinking about buying some soon, are there any breeders that have the puget sounds?

[Stefan-A]

It's not my intention to moralize here, but maybe you shouldn't support people like him?

[garterking]

It's not my intention to moralize here, but maybe you shouldn't support people like him?

Well Stated Stefan. While I don't want to judge others, I do agree with you. I talked to Bob about a month ago, and while we emailed back and forth a few times, I did ask him about some of the stories I heard. (very politely I might ad) His last email to me was "If you're not comfortable with the situation, then don't order them. Someone else will buy them"
This is only my opinion but, I think he's just in it for the money, and not for the enjoyment that the rest of us on this board are here for.

[Tori]

I did not purchase my California redsided from Bob. I decided against buying from someone that I didn't know anything about and went with a breeder that I had some experience with. How am I supporting Bob? If you will read what I posted again you will see that I was asking if there are any breeders that do have puget sound garters.

[Cazador]

Hi Pamela,
Long time no see. I saw that Scott Felzer advertized them here (Puget Sound Garters-Very nice and turn blue! - Garter, Water & Ribbon Snakes) last year, but they're not advertised on his website (Scott Felzer's Garter Snakes). Curious! I've also seen "Glades herps" advertise them in the past (Glades Herp Inc.). I'd drop them both an e-mail in a month or two to see what they expect to have next summer. Best of luck,

Rick

[Stefan-A]

I did not purchase my California redsided from Bob. I decided against buying from someone that I didn't know anything about and went with a breeder that I had some experience with. How am I supporting Bob? If you will read what I posted again you will see that I was asking if there are any breeders that do have puget sound garters.

It wasn't aimed at you, Tori, but at those that do get their snakes from him and people like him. Neither was it an accusation, but a suggestion.

[snakeman]

everybody got their puget sounds off of the same guy.If Scott advertises his next year or if marian gets babies That will be you best bet.That way at least the babies will be true captive bred.