Infernalis babies!! (Photos added 15/9/11)

[infernalis]

After the devastating food poisoning of my Infernalis trio that I had 2 years invested in, I was pleasantly informed by me breeder friend that both of his bright neon blue ladies are gravid!!!

New Infernalis babies on the way soon.

So at least I can start over.:):)

http://www.thamnophis.us/infernalis/infernalis3.jpg

[Jendee]

oh wow! Ive never seen anything like that!! The color is amazing..fingers crossed for you ;)

[Lankyrob]

'Bout time you had some good news come through mate!!

[whoaxmary]

Gorgeous colours! Best of luck Wayne!

[infernalis]

Thanks, they are going to be the exact same bloodlines, I'm hoping they have that same "don't mess with me attitude" that the snakes I had before the incident.

They acted like little vipers, striking at me and coiling up in that "come on I dare you" pose.

They used to rip the pinkie off the tongs with so much force, it was awsome, they were nippy little devils with the soul of a demon.

http://www.ssnakess.info/secret/infernalis2.jpg

[Wolfus_305]

The colours are stunning! good luck!

[shaunyboy]

thats great news and a great attitude you have there wayne

it was so sad what happened to your wee guy's kudo's for going back to the start and striving to complete your dream mate

all the very best with the new guys when they eventually arrive

cheers shaun

[stephanbakir]

Great lookin snakes. What caused the food poisoning?

[infernalis]

Incorrectly labeled Tilapia from the grocery store, It was salted & salt is lethal to herps.

Now my garter snakes are only fed fresh trout, no more grocery store fish ever.

I lost six freaking prized snakes that night.

When I buy a rainbow trout, the butcher kills and fillets it right there, no danger of salt poisoning.

[sickvenom]

is it hard to break cbb garters from musking?

[infernalis]

is it hard to break cbb garters from musking?

A lot depends on the indavidual snake. I presently have and keep somewhere on the order of 50-70 assorted garter snakes, and out of all of them only two of my most nervous males musk.

Big females are teddy bears and perfect for people with an affirmation that their snakes love to be handled.

[infernalis]

Oh by the way Thamnophis Sirtalis Infernalis is a nippy species, they are very bold and on the defensive, captive or not.

[TeaNinja]

i love the way infernalis look. they are awesome.

[mrherpdotca]

That is a cool looking snake. I am just learning bout snakes but do all gardners give live birth?
Also, one dose of salt will kill em?

Chris

[LLinz]

Beautiful....

[Lankyrob]

One gram of salt to a human is nothing, one gram to a 50g snake is a big deal. Wayne will correct me if i am wrong but i understand that they cant metabolise it so it poisons their system.

[sickvenom]

One gram of salt to a human is nothing, one gram to a 50g snake is a big deal. Wayne will correct me if i am wrong but i understand that they cant metabolise it so it poisons their system.

If that's the case, then it' specific to certain species. Sea snakes live in salt water and we have a lot of snakes over here that live in salt marshes.

[Shmoges]

So That blue one you had that was wild caught was just a random occurrence and not a morph you could get again?

[infernalis]

So That blue one you had that was wild caught was just a random occurrence and not a morph you could get again?


Blue phase Puget Sound garter snakes are native to Washington state and not a morph, it's their natural colouring.

[Reptile_Reptile]

where in washington i want to check these guys out.

[infernalis]

where in washington i want to check these guys out.


Pack Forest, Pierce County and the areas around the Puget Sound down into north Cali.

[percey39]

They look awesome mate, absolutely stunning!!!

[infernalis]

They start out a little bland and turn "neon blue" with the black and red as they age.

As soon as they arrive, I'll be snapping pics like mad.

[shaunyboy]

They start out a little bland and turn "neon blue" with the black and red as they age.

As soon as they arrive, I'll be snapping pics like mad.


do you have a rough date of arrival mate ?

i'm looking forward to some pictures of the guys when they come

cheers shaun

[infernalis]

They are still in moms belly. Both girls are good producers, The ones I'm getting are the same exact bloodlines.

roughly in a couple weeks there will be babies.

[blindfireak40]

If that's the case, then it' specific to certain species. Sea snakes live in salt water and we have a lot of snakes over here that live in salt marshes.

It seems that it's actually the opposite; sea snakes can survive salt due to adaptations specific to them, rather than garters being especially susceptible to salt poisoning. Due to inferior (compared to mammals) kidney function, birds and reptiles cannot process salt. Galapagos Iguanas have glands that they can secrete salt through; similarly, Kraits and other sea snakes have glands in their mouths that secrete salt in such a way that it can be pushed out on their tongues.

As I stated before, from what I've been able to dig up, this is an adaptation specific to the aquatic snakes, so most (or all) terrestrial snakes should definitely avoid salt consumption.

[infernalis]

Salt consumption by terrestrial colubrids can lead to Fatal Shock, Acidosis with symptoms including weakness, malaise, muscle twitching, involuntary movement, cardiac arrhythmias, disorientation, Uremia & kidney failure.

Sadly I had to accidentally feed salted fish to a group of snakes that cost me a lot of money, a lot of time (they were 2 years old, just reaching maturity) and set breeding back another 24 months minimum to learn about this.

Not to mention re-investing in replacement snakes to get the collection back on track.

[blindfireak40]

That's a shame on so many levels :(...first to lose them in terms of the breeding stock, second to lose ANYTHING in such a manner as that; those symptoms sound like an awful thing to witness. Of course, there's the financial end too, but that pales in comparison to the first two things.

Best of luck with the new guys, Wayne.

[Coffee Black]

Grats! I'm sorry to hear about the previous terribleness. Hope you nab some screamers.

[sickvenom]

It seems that it's actually the opposite; sea snakes can survive salt due to adaptations specific to them, rather than garters being especially susceptible to salt poisoning. Due to inferior (compared to mammals) kidney function, birds and reptiles cannot process salt.

right. that was my point. it is snake/species-specific.

so most (or all) terrestrial snakes should definitely avoid salt consumption.

as i stated before, there are several species of terrestrial snakes that live in SALT marshes, especially in the southern states. it is impossible for them to avoid salt consumption, to a degree.

[infernalis]

Only by sharing in ones failures can others benefit from the lesson learned.

[serpentshideawa]

Grats on being able to obtain a new set i cant wait to see the fresh snake pics

[Little Wise Owl]

Those are some nifty looking critters. Sorry to hear about the food poisoning.

Good luck!

[emseeKAY]

lookin good wayne, id like to have one of those guys someday

[infernalis]

They shipped out fed ex today... I will have my Infernalis babies in the morning. woot!

Pictures for sure when I get them.

[Ch^4]

Amazing looking snakes! And congrats Wayne! (There better be pictures...) :)

[Coffee Black]

Woot! congrats!

[Reptile_Reptile]

congrats :)

[stephanbakir]

Woot grats!

[emilie]

they look great!! good luck, I cant wait to hear more!

[youngster]

i loove garters.

[shaunyboy]

you won't be sleeping much tonight then wayne :yes:

you'll have little kid at xmas syndrome

cheers shaun

[TeaNinja]

awesome. good luck repopulating. :)

[shaunyboy]

have they arrived yet wayne ?

cheers shaun

[infernalis]

Yes, They are jumpy as heck from the flight. I'll try and snap some photos tonight.

[TeaNinja]

sweet :)

[emseeKAY]

holy wayne those look unreal!

[KrazyKat]

I'm very sorry for your loss Wayne, as a newbie this is news to me:( but SO happy for u now, that takes real love for the infernalis and perseverance to start all over - I'm sure you'll be well rewarded down the road as your stunning collection grows, and even more stunning, if that's even possible;)

[stephanbakir]

Half the snakes hes getting will surprise him and be +het pied :)

[infernalis]

Since they naturally occur in red/black/turquoise, there is no mutation that could look any better. ;)

[infernalis]

I am feeding babies right now, more pics throughout the day to follow.

http://www.thamnophis.co/2011Infernalis/infernalis1.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.co/2011Infernalis/infernalis2.jpg

For size reference......

http://www.thamnophis.co/2011Infernalis/infernalis3.jpg

[TeaNinja]

haha, they look great :)
i like how their tail narrows out so much.

[ineedsoap16]

Beautiful babies.

[shaunyboy]

very nice wayne

i really love how vivid the colours are on your new babies

cheers shaun

[Coffee Black]

Awesome babies. Glad you got some more. Mind if I ask what they ran you ? Or what they usually cost ?

[Lankyrob]

Stunning mate!! ABsolutely stunning!

[stephanbakir]

Looks awesome!

[infernalis]

Awesome babies. Glad you got some more. Mind if I ask what they ran you ? Or what they usually cost ?

$175 each, and they sell out every year.

[marionsclan]

OMG that is one beautiful snake. The colors are so vibrant. Do you think they are so nippy because in the wild they would be easy to detect with those colors and they have to be on the defensive all the time?

[infernalis]

Actually they blend in quite well.

A wild herping photo I received in an email..

http://www.storeria.com/img/s1a1.jpg

a photo from a friend, that's a baby rat in the snakes mouth.

http://www.thamfriends.com/pic/infernalis.jpg

They are just an aggressive species, the are semi aquatic, hence the long slender tail, it's for swimming.

[zamaya]

amazing :D

[KrazyKat]

Actually they blend in quite well.

A wild herping photo I received in an email..

http://www.storeria.com/img/s1a1.jpg



Wow, this is one of the most beautiful snake photos i think i have ever seen - he looks so predatory and regal, if that makes sense..love it. These are truly stunning snakes! Congrats again :)

[stephanbakir]

Garters in general are awesome :)
I have a friend that lives close to Portage (govt. buildings in hull) who collects them. He and his girlfriend are also on this forum. ((Directed at Kat :P)

[KrazyKat]

Garters in general are awesome :)
I have a friend that lives close to Portage (govt. buildings in hull) who collects them. He and his girlfriend are also on this forum. ((Directed at Kat :P)

No way! I need to meet your friends..man, where have you people been all my life?!? :p

[stephanbakir]

Right in front of your behind :)
Always wanted to say that :)

[KrazyKat]

Right in front of your behind :)
Always wanted to say that :)

BAHAHAHA! Love it!:laugh:

[stephanbakir]

Btw, I'm totally going to sleep now, Gnite :P

[KrazyKat]

Btw, I'm totally going to sleep now, Gnite :P

lol SURE you are :p jk

G'night! Ttyl :)

[infernalis]

New pictures from last night, They are colouring up nicely and eat like little pigs.

http://www.thamnophis.co/Infernalis/Infernalis.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.co/Infernalis/Infernalis1.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.co/Infernalis/Infernalis2.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.co/Infernalis/Infernalis3.jpg

[Gungirl]

Love the colors on these little guys.. I might have to invest and get me one someday..

[SnakeyJay]

that white line down the spine is so vivid in your pics... stunning!!

[marvelfreak]

Sweet looking babies. Love their color.

[infernalis]

that white line down the spine is so vivid in your pics... stunning!!


the stripes are turning turquoise ;)

Thanks, they are my favourite species of garter snake.

[millertime89]

Great looking babies! You feed them bait minnows?

[infernalis]

Great looking babies! You feed them bait minnows?


Blacknose dace.

http://pond.dnr.cornell.edu/nyfish/Cyprinidae/e_blacknose_dace.jpg

[ladyjustice33]

gorgeous babies!

[solo1979]

Wow Wayne those are awesome! I really love garters and catch them in my backyard all the time (Chicago garters). Obviously the ones I'm catching are nowhere near as stunning. I always say if I could convert one to mice I'd totally keep it, but can't get into trying to keep another food source in the house.

[infernalis]

Wow Wayne those are awesome! I really love garters and catch them in my backyard all the time (Chicago garters). Obviously the ones I'm catching are nowhere near as stunning. I always say if I could convert one to mice I'd totally keep it, but can't get into trying to keep another food source in the house.

I have them all on mice within a few months of birth...


Believe me, I get well over it with fish in a hurry.

Fortunately I am blessed to own a huge parcel in the boondocks, I often refer to my whole property as my all natural vivarium. So the minnows are readily available and free.

[solo1979]

How do you go about converting them over to mice?

[infernalis]

How do you go about converting them over to mice?


when they are about the right size to fit a small pinkie, I get the pinkie all stinky with trout first.

Even my water snake switched over quickly, after about 3 or 4 feedings, they don't require scenting anymore.

Some species like eastern garters (T. s. Sirtalis) and Midwestern species will go straight for pinks right off the bat.

The only real challenge is when raising neonates, is they are usually very small and delicate, so you have to feed tiny food items.

http://www.thamnophis.us/today/Axanthic1.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.net/Gartersnakes/images/snoweat2.jpg

http://www.thamfriends.com/MPFG/images/hpim3186.jpg

This gal takes hopper size mice. only have to feed her once a week.

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/PG1/images/di2mouse.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.us/Macro/eating1.jpg

[Snakefood]

My absolute favorites are the pure white one and the last one that is white, yellow, and orange.

THEY ARE STUNNING!!!!

(if only we could keep garters in captivity here in BC)

[solo1979]

Oh wow! I caught a couple of really great looking ones this summer but figured I wouldn't be able to convert them easily so I put them back in my yard. Maybe we will have one or two more warm days before fall completely takes over and I'll be able to spot them again outside.

[infernalis]

I found this big female last summer, she is very normal and "bland" yet I find her beautiful.. She took a fuzzy mouse off the tongs, unscented the day after I caught her with no fuss at all.

She immediately started looking for another and swiftly took a second one off the tongs.

I have to believe that the larger healthier ones in the wild have discovered the nutritional value of cleaning out a mouse nest.


http://www.thamnophis.us/stump/tread2.jpg

[lady_bug87]

I found this big female last summer, she is very normal and "bland" yet I find her beautiful.. She took a fuzzy mouse off the tongs, unscented the day after I caught her with no fuss at all.

She immediately started looking for another and swiftly took a second one off the tongs.

I have to believe that the larger healthier ones in the wild have discovered the nutritional value of cleaning out a mouse nest.


http://www.thamnophis.us/stump/tread2.jpg


I find her very pretty!

[Gungirl]

I love how Gold she looks....

[solo1979]

Oh nice! I have been thinking the ones near my house must be finding mice too. We actually have a big problem on my block with mice and rats. There is no water nearby and I find it hard to believe that the garters are getting as thick as they are on insects alone. I really hope I'm able to catch one now before the cold sets in. :)

[infernalis]

Oh nice! I have been thinking the ones near my house must be finding mice too. We actually have a big problem on my block with mice and rats. There is no water nearby and I find it hard to believe that the garters are getting as thick as they are on insects alone. I really hope I'm able to catch one now before the cold sets in. :)


Garter snakes do not ever eat insects. ;)

There are very few species of snake that are insectivores.

Wild diet is - Toads, Frogs, Newts, Salamanders, Tadpoles, Earthworms, fish and rodents.

Sadly Amphibians carry heavy parasite loads (roundworms) and snakes that consume large amounts of amphibians don't usually live full lives.

[solo1979]

Really? My neighbors swear they see them eating earthworms, so I guess that's what I meant in terms of insects. To me a bug is a bug is a bug. :)We really aren't close to any water but we literally have hundreds of garters on my block. They must be eating mice too then because I can't say I've seen lizards or frogs here.

[youngster]

Really? My neighbors swear they see them eating earthworms, so I guess that's what I meant in terms of insects. To me a bug is a bug is a bug. :)We really aren't close to any water but we literally have hundreds of garters on my block. They must be eating mice too then because I can't say I've seen lizards or frogs here.

Have you ever taken a midnight stroll? It's pretty hard to miss a big fat toad in the moonlight :)

[infernalis]

Last night they were both in deep blue awaiting the third shed since born. I'll be sure to snap a few pics right after the slough when the colours are brightest.

They both suck down a lot of shredded trout, the female will probably be on pinkie mice within the next month. The male will be a little longer.

[bushsnake]

@solo1979-im from the chicago area too, nice to see somebody near by that has an interest in garters! I have a blue chicago garter thats pretty neat, and she takes rodents!

[infernalis]

@solo1979-im from the chicago area too, nice to see somebody near by that has an interest in garters! I have a blue chicago garter thats pretty neat, and she takes rodents!


Then start a thread and post pics!!!! :yes:

[bushsnake]

ok no prob Wayne, ill get to it soon

[jaleely]

they are soooo cute!!!!!!! so, if you don't get one from a hatchling, then you miss the color changes?

[infernalis]

they are soooo cute!!!!!!! so, if you don't get one from a hatchling, then you miss the color changes?


Yes, Once they reach adulthood, the colours stop changing.

[KORBIN5895]

Yeah! More people from Illinois! Where at in Chicagoland?