Garter Snakes

[Chris Steele]

How long does it take garter snakes to have babies once they are bred?

[Oliverian]

They usually breed in the spring after hibernation and have babies in july-august. (I think thats what it is, you might want to check out some good garter sites like http://www.gartersnake.co.uk/ . Thats my favorite.

[Lisa]

My favourite care sheet (short of buying a book) is at http://mcwetboy.com/gartercare/gartercare.pdf

[BWSmith]

i dont know the answer, but the rescue female I removed from someones yard dropped 29 babies last night. Ya want a dozen or so?

[Chris Steele]

congratulations...but only if they were free haha....Do you take calls and remove snakes from around homes? I have been thinking of it. I am 15 but dont know how to get started. Do you charge them to do it?

[SCReptiles]

rescue female I removed from someones yard dropped 29 babies last night

Don’t you have a coral snake? =)

[The_Omen]

Don’t you have a coral snake? =)

And a king or two I think

[fatboy]

Some do charge but I do not. I add all of my "rescues" to my collection or to someone elses collection. I don't advertise so most of my calls come from friends and family. Best thing to get started is good equipment such as tongs from Midwest (www.tongs.com).

[BWSmith]

but only if they were free haha

Ya mean there are people that pay for garters? I'd be rich!

Don’t you have a coral snake? =)

I offered the Coral one and he had not eaten it as of last night. Corals generally don't like Garters or Water Snakes. Now if it was baby Corns, my Coral would be in hog heaven right now. One of the Scarlet Kings went after one though so I am hoping he likes them.

Luckily, the female is still is quarentine, thus the babies were in quarentine and still are. So the chance of pathogens is very small and she was removed within 10 miles of my house. So I feel safe releasing them if need be. Already let half a dozen loose at my pond last night.

[SCReptiles]

One of the Scarlet Kings went after one though so I am hoping he likes them.

I have a scarlet as well, mail me a couple. =)

[Vanan]

GRRR!!!

[BWSmith]

I know Vanan, that is the problem with keeping species that have a non-rodent diet. You shoul see the array of specialized food items I have in my freezer, from rabbits, Chipmunks, quail, lizards, frogs, snakes, fish. Gets frustrating sometimes. But it is a nice challenge.

[Vanan]

I guess it would be. But then again you don't go to someone who owns a pet rat and say that it'd make good snake food. I mean if we're talking of snakes as food, that's fine.

It just gets my guile sometimes cos there was alot of idiots who were venomous-trotting, testosterone packed, insensitive idiots on "the other site" and now it's made me more sensitive. Plus I happen to like garters too.

Don't get me wrong. I do understand about the need to feed such prey, but boasting about it seems uncalled for. Again I'm not directly attacking you guys but I've been made sore by others.

BTW, you mentioned that natricines aren't taken as well as corns. What dya think the reason could be? Just prey they're more imprinted upon? Or could be that corals can't handle that nasty musk?

[BWSmith]

I am kindof a pradox Vanan. The female I kept for education, and really like the girl. But when a Scarlet king goes off feed for 2 months and baby garters are born in the next cage, sucks to be a baby garter. 6 have already been released at my pond, 2 have been fed off, one I am keeping to raise up. It is the same way I have a Cornsnake that I love, but I have to feed babies to the Coral. But my offer was serious if anyone wants baby Garters.

idiots who were venomous-trotting, testosterone packed, insensitive idiots on "the other site"

Glad I never really posted there

but boasting about it seems uncalled for

I didn't think there was any boasting there. Of course if this picky Coral does like them, I will be very happy.

And regarding Corals, oddly enough, I was just talking to Dr. Patterson today about that. He has heard that it has to do with the relatively bony structure of garters and waters. Others think it is because of the heavy musk. I know that they have an anticoagulant in their saliva, maybe there is a chemical reason. baby ratsnakes and dekayi are definately favorites though. If they would take Ringnecks, i would be all set, but they are toxic.

Coincidently, the Scarlet that took one, I am donating to a Nature Center so it looks like most will be released. Particularly since in GA you have to have permits to keep Eastern Garters and only 2 at that. So I have to figure out something quickly. I like staying by the letter of the law.

[Vanan]

That's cool to hear.

Hmm too bony eh. Not many dekay's around you I presume?