New litter of Easterns (WC)

[wxknight]

No doubt. Yeah I guess that would make sense, maybe a Tupperware container with some paper towels. I'll give it a shot next time when I find another batch of worms.

Is feeding them strictly worms when they are less than a month old ok or should I try to find some small tadpoles or chopped up fish?

[StrmChasr]

Its pretty amazing how much easterns can vary. Mine look nothing like the ones you got.

[wxknight]

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I fed them in a clean container this time so they wouldn't eat any dirt. Still plenty of food fights though, hah.

[wxknight]

Just had a feeding. They're growing like weeds. Eating pretty much every day, fat as can be and then significantly thinner the next day. Crazy metabolism garters have.

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[wxknight]

Does anyone know the laws in Massachusetts for wild caught/captive raised garter? Are they illegal to trade? Just wondering because I plan on giving a few away. If it's not legal I'll probably just give them away if anyone interested. If that isn't a possibility I'll just return the ones I don't keep to the wild.

[guidofatherof5]

Don't know but I'll make a call tomorrow to find out for you.

I did find this:
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/Gener...r131/Section23

[wxknight]

Thanks. Laws always seem very confusing and ambiguous to me hah. It's not illegal to kill garter snakes, and I read you can be in possession of two wild snakes at a time. I have 12 captive raised snakes. I wonder if that counts as wild caught still. There was also some emphasis on if wild populations are affected. I'm not too worried about that because garters are a dime a dozen in these parts and I kept about 10% of the litter so I don't think will have much impact on wild populations. If it's legal to kill them I don't see the harm in selling a couple, but who knows.

[Light of Dae]

Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet

Have you read the caresheet yet? It has wonderful suggestions on better substrate then sandy dirt.... As well as some food suggestions other then parasite filled tadpoles...

Try chopping the worms smaller to avoid food fights as well. food fights as cute as they can be can be damaging to the snakes mouth and should try to be avoided. As far as substrate goes I love newspaper pellets n paper towel....

Very cute little ones.

[guidofatherof5]

I guess it would help if I put this in the correct thread.

Just got off the photo with Mr. Mirick. According to him you may keep 2 of any unprotected snakes species in MA. You may give away or release any babies from those snakes. He hopes they would be released in the area the parent came from. Selling is a whole other ball game as that requires a permit. He said if you have any other questions feel free to contact him.
Peter Mirick 508-389-6300 MA Fish and Wildlife

[wxknight]

Here's some pics. Tried to show a bit of the contrast in colors and patterns. Got one or two real dark ones and a couple nearly stripe-less ones.

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