Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Each spring when the snakes "ball up" I have seen just about every Thamnophis variation rolled up in the ball.

My question is this, how do the Butlers, Checkered, Ribbon & so forth keep the genetics separated?

Secondly has anyone else ever noticed how quickly associates in pet stores lose interest as soon as the word Garter snake enters the conversation?

Maybe I am too much the scientist, always thinking and observing.

Regards,
Wayne A. Harvey

>> My question is this, how do the Butlers, Checkered, Ribbon & so forth keep the genetics separated?

If I remember correctly, they identify their own by the use of pheromones. Each species has its own unique signal.

>> Secondly has anyone else ever noticed how quickly associates in pet stores lose interest as soon as the word Garter snake enters the conversation?

Yes. There's no profit in garter snakes and they aren't that spectacular in most people's opinion.
-----
0.1 Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis (CB'05)
0.2 Thamnophis elegans vagrans (CB'07)
0.1 Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia (CB'07)

OK, the breeding makes sense.

The pet store folks do not. Tell them you have a Corn, or ball python, and the associate will talk snakes all day.

Excuse me if I am wrong, But aren't balls and corns about the most common snakes as pets??

Yet how many "Frisco's" do you see, or Puget sound blues?

We keep many snakes, and the Garters are usually the most entertaining to watch, always busy, exploring the enclosure looking like they are planning a prison break and foraging for food.

From my observations, Garters are extremely intelligent, always inquisitive, and best of all active during the day.

My "exotics" are nocturnal, and spend most of the day hidden.

As for profitability, I am sure that us Garter fans spend as much on tanks, substrate, hides and water bowls as any other snake keeper would.

Regards,
Wayne A. Harvey

Some of our snakes

I've dealt with that a lot....mention them and they say "why would you want to work with GARTERS?" duh....very active and awesome snakes!!! and from what I've seen, just as colorful as any other species out there!!!

Agreed, garters are very under-rated in the pet world, lets try and change that shall we? No doubt they are some of the most if not the most intelligent snakes and very active during the same time that we are rather than while we are sleeping, but I think the downfall in others mind is they don't reach the "impressive" size, they can musk, and they are fast and can "run" away from you when handeling. However the good news, that most "other snake people" aren't aware of, is that CBB raised garters can and do defy those downfalls, except size, they will never be as big and fat as a ball python. With some places or local areas banning constrictors, I would think those areas should be promoting garters then.
Jeff
-----
You got your regius's to the wall, man!
1.0 pastel Python regius
0.1 mojave Python regius
0.1 normal Python regius
0.2 Terrapene carolina thriunguis
2.3 Terrapene carolina carolina
4.1 Kinosternon baurii
1.1 Malaclemys terrapin terrapin
2.1 Ambystoma tigrinum
1.1 Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis
1.0 anerythristic Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis
1.1 Iowa snow Thamnophis radix
1.1 heterozygous for amelanistic,carmel, and stripe Pantherophis guttatus
0.1 anerythristic motley Pantherophis guttatus

I've never seen a pet shop get away with listing a garter for more than $20, which may explain their general disinterest, but they are awesome snakes. Diurnal, ravenous and easy to feed, harmless even with the rare aggressive specimen--what's not to like?

I dont think many pet stores want to push garters much . The set ups as a whole wont run as expensive as Kings,corns not to mention you can catch garters .

I live in Florida there are corns,Kings,garters . I have seen a few corns never a king and countless garters that attack my pond starting now till late Summer granted they arent the incredible looking colors many here breed but if pet stores sold them people would just collect them rather than buy them .

I keep kings cant fathom garters "smarter" than a King. I do like them and looking into a garter just not type I find in my backyard by the drones.