Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Santa Cruz garters, mom and a baby born 7/6/06. She had 8 babies, all born alive. This is the largest clutch to date that we've had for this species. It's interesting to note that Santa Cruze's takes to rodents as readily as most other thamnophis species. All of our adults feed on unscented rodents.

Scott

Love those guys!
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...and I think to myself, "What a wonderful world."

They're outstanding Scott. That high contrast yellow stripe on black is very nice.

Steve

>>Santa Cruz garters, mom and a baby born 7/6/06. She had 8 babies, all born alive. This is the largest clutch to date that we've had for this species. It's interesting to note that Santa Cruze's takes to rodents as readily as most other thamnophis species. All of our adults feed on unscented rodents.

I personally find the atratus very attractive. Their bright orange/yellow dorsal stripe contrasts their (almost) jet black body dramatically. Interesting side note; atratus is one of the smaller thamnophis species, females averaging 16-18", males averaging 10-11".

Scott

>>I personally find the atratus very attractive. Their bright orange/yellow dorsal stripe contrasts their (almost) jet black body dramatically. Interesting side note; atratus is one of the smaller thamnophis species, females averaging 16-18", males averaging 10-11".
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>>Scott

According to the book I have here, the species could reach 40". Is the book wrong or is the average really that much lower?

I should have worded my comments on their sizes as to what I have had and worked with. Does anyone else work with atratus and can let us know how large theirs are?

Scott

Below is a link to a site that has a description and size range for them. It says most snakes encounterd are between 18-28 inchs long. Neonates between 7-10 inchs. It may be a case where some bloodlines or localities are larger then others.

Steve
Link