Best Snake Pets: what are your opinions?

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by bronxzoofrank

Character/habits is a good point, thanks. Those snakes that actively forage, and use a wide variety of habitats, are quite different than ambush predators, and this definitely affects keepers' choices. The same can be said for those large zoo exhibits I've cared for...visitors flock to see the giant constrictors, rattlers, etc., but often spend a great deal of time watching garters, watersnakes, indigos and similar species in well-planted enclosures...Best, Frank

This is exactly why I keep a couple Garter snakes in my livingroom on display.

[bronxzoofrank]

Originally Posted by infernalis

This is exactly why I keep a couple Garter snakes in my livingroom on display.

Same here...I've worked with snakes in zoos for 30+ years, kept garters way before that, but they remain a great favorite; what species do you keep? Best, Frank

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by bronxzoofrank

Same here...I've worked with snakes in zoos for 30+ years, kept garters way before that, but they remain a great favorite; what species do you keep? Best, Frank

Hi Frank.

Captive specimens, I keep Thamnophis Radix, Thamnophis parietalis, Thamnophis Sirtalis Infernalis, T.s. Sirtalis, Thamnophis melanogaster and a trio of Thamnophis cyrtopsis.

I also maintain a "40 acre vivarium" where I tend to my wild specimens, I can't count them all, But the species that I have observed in my wetlands are all T.s.Sirtalis, there are some Nerodia, Storeria, Lampropeltis Triangulum & Occasionally I encounter a Opheodrys vernalis (smooth green snake)

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...p-habitat.html

That details some of what I have going on out back.

[charlesc84]

Originally Posted by bronxzoofrank

Same here...I've worked with snakes in zoos for 30+ years, kept garters way before that, but they remain a great favorite; what species do you keep? Best, Frank

Exactly how big is the African Rock Python at the Bronx Zoo? I saw it a few times in the summer, it's gigantic.

[Pareeeee]

I'm thinking of maybe getting a garter at some point, but don't know of anywhere in Ontario where I could buy one. I could catch one and keep it, but I'm worried about parasites/diseases transferring to my snakes.

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by Pareeeee

I'm thinking of maybe getting a garter at some point, but don't know of anywhere in Ontario where I could buy one. I could catch one and keep it, but I'm worried about parasites/diseases transferring to my snakes.

That is not a huge concern unless you plan on feeding the garter to your other snakes.

I would still quarantine any new arrivals, but a W/C snake will not introduce any parasites to your current snakes by simply keeping it in your home.

Internal parasites have life cycles requiring hosts to perpetuate the parasitic species.

Below is just one example of what I am talking about.

(I use this example a lot, Garter snakes go feed crazy over Frogs and Tadpoles.)

[bronxzoofrank]

Originally Posted by Pareeeee

I'm thinking of maybe getting a garter at some point, but don't know of anywhere in Ontario where I could buy one. I could catch one and keep it, but I'm worried about parasites/diseases transferring to my snakes.

Wild caught garters rarely exhibit any parasite problems when taken into captivity, even if untreated; most are likely self-limiting (as described by Infernalis). You might try kingsnake.com, a few garter snake breeders there (I'd wait until after the Ontario winter passes before shipping snakes there..or visiting...sorry!) Best, Frank

[infernalis]

2012 was a drought summer, not much to photograph, here is 2010 & 2011...

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/field...w-another.html

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/field...-new-pics.html

[bronxzoofrank]

Originally Posted by infernalis

2012 was a drought summer, not much to photograph, here is 2010 & 2011...

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/field...w-another.html

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/field...-new-pics.html

Thanks very much for the great photos...I;m yearning for spring more than usual now!

Best, Frank