Injured Garter Snake found + PICS!

[infernalis]

While walking the dogs this morning we stumbled upon a nice yellow striped garter snake with a severe tail injury.

She's slightly malnourished and her injury is infected.

Undoubtedly with the cold weather blowing in fast she would certainly perish in the den over the winter, Cold temps are not conducive to reptile healing.

So she will be spending the winter indoors with daily antibiotic treatments while she heals up.

After she warms up I will take pictures including her injury. It looks like she will be losing a lot of her tail before we are done here.

[youngster]

Awesome Wayne! Hope she makes it through the year.

[alessia55]

:( I'm glad you found her!

[shaunyboy]

at least she has a much better chance of survival now you found her mate

looking forward to pictures and following her healing proccess

cheers shaun

[infernalis]

Awesome Wayne! Hope she makes it through the year.

Me too, just have to see how it goes.

She didn't even struggle when I picked her up, she felt cold and clammy in my hands.

Hopefully I can get her to eat, nutrition, heat and silvadine should take care of it.

The damage is past her vent, so going to the bathroom should not be any problem.

[infernalis]

check out her tail.. poor girl. She's been basking all day. Capturing her true lemon yellow seems difficult with my camera/lighting.

http://www.reptard.info/hurt/face.jpg

http://www.reptard.info/hurt/snake.jpg

http://www.reptard.info/hurt/tail.jpg

[alessia55]

:( poor thing. I wish her a speedy recovery!!

[Snakefood]

at least she's in the right hands for the best chances!!

[spots]

A true man with a HEART :)
hope she pulls through for you. what happen to her tail? almost looks like she was stepped on or something?

[infernalis]

Thanks, she got a drink and swam in her water bowl a little now she's just chilling, I'm going to turn off the basking light and turn on the belly heat for the night.

[infernalis]

what happen to her tail??

No clue, she was sunning in the meadow, even though it was quite cold.

Thats another bad sign, snakes don't like cold, most of them are down in the holes already. Or at least hovering close by so they can go down at night to avoid the frost.

[infernalis]

Folks we have an eater.. Readily chomped down three nice strips of rainbow trout just now.

First meal at the "Hospital"

[TeaNinja]

noice .

[Uncle_Rev]

Folks we have an eater.. Readily chomped down three nice strips of rainbow trout just now.

First meal at the "Hospital"

Hells yeah that is a good sign! She is awesome looking too.

[infernalis]

Hells yeah that is a good sign! She is awesome looking too.


That's right, can't heal without nutrition.

http://www.reptard.info/Paddock/yellow.jpg

[Gungirl]

Very happy to read that he has eaten!

[spots]

Sad injury, but seems have the will to live :) and seems full of energy judging by the pictures Wayne. Glade she has eaten.

[SkYyaMe1623]

when she heals are you planning on letting her go? or is she part of the collection now?

good job wayne

[infernalis]

when she heals are you planning on letting her go? or is she part of the collection now?

good job wayne

Will be staying.. I found scars all over this snake, so the rough living is over with permanently.

[alessia55]

Glad to hear she's doing well! Does she have a name yet?

[infernalis]

Not yet, but the bright yellow has me leaning to "Sunny" Or "Sunshine"

I have not probed yet, but closer examination of the head structure and tail taper, I do honestly think my original assumption was wrong, looks more like a full grown adult male with a few years of hard living.

[infernalis]

Hot tub therapy..... I put the basking lamp over the water bowl.

http://www.thamnophis.us/thams/hottub.jpg

[Snakefood]

aww, looks more comfy than he's probably ever been:)

[SkYyaMe1623]

aww, looks more comfy than he's probably ever been:)

right?!

just seeing that shot made me happy for the lil fella :)

[infernalis]

It has to be more comfy than out there in the cold.

[Gungirl]

Lol snakey hot tub!

[alessia55]

So cute! :bouncy:

[Wolfus_305]

that is absolutely amazing! I wish her a speedy recovery and it seems like she's on the right track :) i love the picture of her in the water dish :)

[Snakefood]

It has to be more comfy than out there in the cold.


I've always prefered a hot bath myself!!:rolleyes:

[ZARADOZIA]

Lucky fella. In the past week I have seen two 3+ feet long black snakes dead on the road. Makes me sad. This balances that out a wee bit.

[infernalis]

Thanks.. I'll be a lot happier when the tail is fully healed.

[kernel]

I found a injured ribbon snake a few days ago. It looked like someone tried to chop him in half with a shovel. The cut was above the vent and it severed the the spine. I took him to a local reptile shop cause the injury was too severe for me to take care of, but the guy there said he doesn't think he's going to make it:( I'm glad your's is doing better though.

[infernalis]

I found a injured ribbon snake a few days ago. It looked like someone tried to chop him in half with a shovel. The cut was above the vent and it severed the the spine. I took him to a local reptile shop cause the injury was too severe for me to take care of, but the guy there said he doesn't think he's going to make it:( I'm glad your's is doing better though.

Sadly any severe injury forward of the vent (where the organs are) is fatal.

Injuries behind the vent (considered tail) are all easy to recover from with the right care.

Look at the difference in the tails of my two snows.. "Stubs" has been living a full and active life like that.

http://www.thamnophis.net/Gartersnakes/images/snows2.jpg

[kernel]

The guy said their was a small chance he would make it, but because the injury is above the vent he probably won't make it:(

[infernalis]

The guy said their was a small chance he would make it, but because the injury is above the vent he probably won't make it:(

That will depend on if the internal organs were damaged, or if any nerves connected to them were severed.

I hate uneducated people with shovels. I really do.

These harmless little colubrids are nothing to be afraid of in any way, yet countless garter snakes get slaughtered every year by fools who think "the only good snake is a dead snake"

[kernel]

I know some that killed a "black copperhead". People out here kill ribbon snakes that they thought were cotton mouths and hognose that they thought were pygmy rattlers. People just make me so mad:angry:

[youngster]

I overheard some kids say they killed a water moccasin. :/ They were really proud like they saved the world. The worst part is that there was no chance it was venomous, it was probably a garter or water snake. I was ready to give them a good educational smack but chose not to :P

[lady_bug87]

@ Infernalis: I think Stubs is adorable

[bigsnakegirl785]

Yeah, people are like that around here. They say outrageous things like "I don't want no snake eating my child or chickens." and I tell them no snake around here is big enough either. None of the natives get that big, and any exotics are most likely going to perish in the winter. Trust me, I gave them a very long and angry speech which left them blubbering.

[Nismo89]

My parents always told me that Garters were venomous hahah and they also call them Gardener snakes not Garters. Back on topic I'm glad she's doing better.

[millertime89]

they also call them Gardener snakes not Garters. Back on topic I'm glad she's doing better.

I had this conversation with a coworker when she saw me looking at threads on here, we both used to call them that because they would be found in gardens, so it made sense.

[Nismo89]

I had this conversation with a coworker when she saw me looking at threads on here, we both used to call them that because they would be found in gardens, so it made sense.

Same here. Until I joined this forum and really got into snakes I never knew the difference and even when you try and explain to people they are just like nope its a Gardener so I just go with it.

[millertime89]

Same here. Until I joined this forum and really got into snakes I never knew the difference and even when you try and explain to people they are just like nope its a Gardener so I just go with it.

the internet is a useful tool when involved in these discussions.

[infernalis]

the internet is a useful tool when involved in these discussions.

It can also be a detriment.

Any fool with a PC can publish anything they want.

[alessia55]

we both used to call them that because they would be found in gardens, so it made sense.

Even though I know their Garter snakes, my family (and I) still call them Garden snakes. It's been so imprinted into my mind to call them Garden snakes that I can't seem to undo it! :p

[millertime89]

It can also be a detriment.

Any fool with a PC can publish anything they want.

its finding and using reputable sources that wins the day

[infernalis]

Update.. Sunshine is doing awesome.

http://www.thamnophis.co/feeding/sunshine1.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.co/feeding/sunshine2.jpg

The tail, as it will likely look for the rest of his life. It is completely healed.

http://www.thamnophis.co/feeding/sunshine3.jpg

[SpOoKy]

Awesome Wayne, way to go I love when stories like this turn out good.

[infernalis]

That yellow is just about the brightest yellow I have ever seen on a garter, He's here to stay.

[kernel]

That's great Wayne! It feels so good when you save somethings life.

[kernel]

Maybe you could produce a high yellow strain with him!

[infernalis]

Yep, I'm a sucker for hardship cases.

One day I'm going to build another cage and rescue a Sav from the hands of someone who got in over their head.

[kernel]

That's a great idea.

[KORBIN5895]

Anyone in particular ;)

[infernalis]

No, most likely someone local who purchased a baby at the mall....

[lady_bug87]

There is a store called Big Als and they have a Sav that I swear is going to die if someone doesn't take better care of it, its so lethargic if I had the space and the funds I would buy her myself

[SpOoKy]

There is a store called Big Als and they have a Sav that I swear is going to die if someone doesn't take better care of it, its so lethargic if I had the space and the funds I would buy her myself

Don't get me started on that store. I got into an yelling match with the manager of one store because he thought it was totally okay to keep 3 water dragons in a tank with a veiled chameleon. Not to mention he had the chameleon priced marked as a "valid" (not veiled) chameleon

[lady_bug87]

^^ yea I have a huge problem with most pet stores one guy. when I asked what was up with the sav they just said Oh she's really mean so the owner brought her back poor thing was suffering from a bad shed the last time I was there

[SpOoKy]

I called the head office laid into them. I was promised that the reptile manager of the whole chin would go in there and sort things out. You should try the same. we may not fix everything but at least we can be a pain in their butts.

[lady_bug87]

I should... they seem to keep their fish ok.. (I dont know much about fish) my brother just bought some

[SpOoKy]

I told them they should just stick to fish...considering they are a fish store.

[lady_bug87]

Thats like my belief that petsmart should stick to gerbils and birds.. they have no business carrying herps

[jaleely]

That's great! I remember reading about this before. Thank you for the update! What a cutie. Okay, so where did you get the meds for him? Leftovers, or do you have a really great vet that works with you?

[infernalis]

I keep silvadine on hand, it's perfect for infected wounds on snakes.

I always listen to my vet and keep notes, for future reference.

[Kayla90]

:O his tail is looking sooo much better! I'm glad his doing good and being spoiled :P .. He deserves it!

[GarterPython]

Yea they are very bad at keeping reptiles. I got my Crested Gecko from there because it was in horrible condition and in a tank with probably another 20 juvenile Crested Geckos. He's been doing good every since.

[Gungirl]

Thats like my belief that petsmart should stick to gerbils and birds.. they have no business carrying herps

Most places shouldn't carry birds either.. They don't know enough. I think pet stores should carry supplies not pets.

Wayne..glad to see the updates. You did good as usual.

[infernalis]

Thanks.. He's a real prize too, never seen such a screaming yellow on a snake before.

Imagine if I could find him a nice Albino female.

[shaunyboy]

Update.. Sunshine is doing awesome.

http://www.thamnophis.co/feeding/sunshine1.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.co/feeding/sunshine2.jpg

The tail, as it will likely look for the rest of his life. It is completely healed.

http://www.thamnophis.co/feeding/sunshine3.jpg

the tails looking really good now its 100% healed,it's a good job you found the wee guy mate

cheers shaun

[snakehill]

Wow! He really is yellow!!!! :eek: He looks great!

[CK SandBoas]

Sunshine looks great Wayne! He really seems to be thriving in your care:)

[EasternGirl]

He's a very handsome little guy!

[infernalis]

Thanks.....

[kernel]

Isn't Sunshine a female?

[infernalis]

My first ID was mistaken, Sunshine turned out to be male.

Due to the buggered up tail being so close to the vent, sexing initially was difficult.

[lady_bug87]

Most places shouldn't carry birds either.. They don't know enough. I think pet stores should carry supplies not pets.

Wayne..glad to see the updates. You did good as usual.

agreed^^^ though the one by my place does really well with the birds, no over crowding very clean conditions

[kernel]

My first ID was mistaken, Sunshine turned out to be male.

Due to the buggered up tail being so close to the vent, sexing initially was difficult.

I see. What kind of garter is that in garterpython's avatar? Sorry, off topic, but I wanted to know.

[infernalis]

I see. What kind of garter is that in garterpython's avatar? Sorry, off topic, but I wanted to know.

Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia - San Francisco Gartersnake (http://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/t.s.tetrataenia.html)

Click the link, good stuff.

[kernel]

Absolutly beautiful! Like the neon tetra of the snake world! Now, I want a pair of them and the blue Pudget Sounds. Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis is beautiful as well. It must be your favorite.

[infernalis]

San Frans are off limits, Anyone caught with them goes to prison.

Federally protected endangered species.

[kernel]

Oh, didn't know that. Thanks for telling me. I guess I would have to go with sirtalis infernalis if I were to get some like that.

[youngster]

I just want a nice pretty pair of radix or sirtalis ssp. :)
If I'm lucky I'll be able to get some in late January, but probably in a couple months :D

[infernalis]

I just want a nice pretty pair of radix or sirtalis ssp. :)
If I'm lucky I'll be able to get some in late January, but probably in a couple months :D

I have some of both available..;)

[infernalis]

Oh, didn't know that. Thanks for telling me. I guess I would have to go with sirtalis infernalis if I were to get some like that.


In the spring time, Can set you up with some.:D

[kernel]

In the spring time, Can set you up with some.:D

OK, I will be thinking about it. I just don't if I will have the money though, cause I will be spending allot on breeding supplies.