garder snakes

[marylyn101]

I'm thinking of catching wild garder snakes because in my area no one sells them and i love them so much. any tips ort thoughts is greatly apprecaited (sp) Am i doing a bad thing? are people against it? :( as you cansee i am in need of your opoin, ( yes i know my spelling is bad)>(

[KrokadilyanGuy3]

...Garter snakes can be seen for sale all over the internet(**************). If you prefer a possible cb, or morph.

Personally, I like to catch most of my captives. If I can catch it, I won't buy it. Now, I don't over do it. A pr. is most likely what I'll get. Plus, I'm permitted on most of the things I'm in need for.
I am not against field collecting if it's done responably.

Now, if you want to catch them, your best bets are most likely near any water ways that have areas to hide, such as ponds,creeks, marshes.

I'm assuming you know the care on these guys...

Good luck.
Xain

[eyespy]

Depending on where you live, collection of wild garters can be illegal or by permit only. Best to check your local bylaws. I'm not against catching garters either, if done responsibly and legally. And if you have the budget for vet care, most wild garters have parasites that don't respond well to Panacur and Flagyl, they need Droncit which has a very narrow safety margin and really should be doled out by a vet.

Most of the wild caughts have low levels of parasites that really bloom in captivity because of stress. I can't tell you how much time I've spent with forceps picking flukes out of wc garters' mouths. Yuk!

Garters ship very well so it's not necessary to find a local pet store that sells them. Buying direct from breeders gets you a healthier snake that accepts more foods. So many petshop garters are fed only goldfish and that's one of the worst foods you can feed a garter!

Most reputable garter breeders introduce their snakes to a wide variety of foods so you don't have to go out and catch amphibians, which is a real problem with wcs. Most are stuck on them, especially if you are herping in the spring and early summer. My garters from breeders all accept fuzzy mice without even having to scent them.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Dude, WC animals are not good, even if they are local. And you'll be nailed in a second from DFO and the Ministry of Environment as its illegal to catch any wild animal in BC, and most certainly illegal if you try and make money off of them, ha ha!

And its "Garter" snake.

[Tim_Cranwill]

Try here instead...

http://www.thamnophis.com/features/ScottFelzer/

[Beejay]

I have to agree with Jeff here. If healthy, beautiful garters are available legally, through the pet trade...why risk going through the trouble of legal issues, an unhealthy specimen and then the pain you'll cause the snake when you're unable to care for it because it won't eat what you can provide?

A good site on garter care is available at http://www.mcwetboy.com

I hope you make the right decision!

Bj

[Vanan]

BTW, in BC even CB Thamnophis are not allowed. Trust me, been there. Look under the wildlife act and it states that ALL Thamnophis are considered wildlife. BS IMO!

Vanan

[Burmies]

I am not against it.

Burmies

[Vanan]

I am. When you know that there's only 3 subspecies of garters here and many many others who couldn't possibly live in this climate. AgCan needs to do their research.

[marylyn101]

thanks tons. it seems like to much trouble. *hug*

[Jonathan Crowe]

Vanan, it's not AgCan in this case, but the provincial wildlife authority. AgCan doesn't do much to affect us herpwise except with respect to importing turtles. Wildlife is usually provincial jurisdiction.