Co-habitating baby garters

[DaBaum]

Yes, the Plains Garter will go back to the wild. I'll be sad. "He" is so much fun to have around. He's growing and eats like a pig now. (So, he's always "happy" to see me.


The biggest question I have now is whether he'll go back now or in the spring. Both of my neighbors (to the North and East of my house) will kill Garter Snakes on sight. I've been unsuccessful with my attempts to convince them that the snakes are harmless. My (large) yard is a garter snake sanctuary and I've even had some success with developing a lawn-mower accident avoidance technique. It now takes me about 6 hours to mow my entire lawn. (it used to take 2 or 3 hours.) I successfully avoided running over one of my mature females this very evening.


Whether he goes back in now or in the spring, he certainly will not be housed with the Checkered. I found yet another website that lists Checkered Garters as one of the species that may exhibit cannibalistic behavior: (gartersnake.info) That little guy will have to live life as a bachelor and I'm sure, in time, he will become as friendly, entertaining and engaging as the Plains. (He certainly is handsome.)



Oh yeah, I'll answer my own question: 95% sure "he" is Thomnophis Radix. They just seem to get darker as they mature.