Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone. I just ordered a pair of red spotted garters, and was wondering if anyone has experience with them. I've kept wandering, plains, and easterns before. Any specifics I should know about? I did the obligatory internet search, but didn't find much in terms of feeding and care. Any help is appreciated.

Joe

First of all congratulations on your red spotted garters! I'm not an expert on them but,I do own a pr.,a large adult c/b female and a smaller w/c male.All I can say is,IMHO they are the most beautiful garters out there with the exception of eastern black necks!Fortunately when I got both of mine they were already eating rodents. I'm looking forward to breeding them next season! Take care!, Jeff

I agreen about the Eastern Black Necks! Someday I'm going to have one or two. Such stunning creatures!

Right now I'm in the process of trying to get one or two CB Pugets. And I think I may have a way to get a native MN red-sided.

Spotted, I just don't know yet. I mean, I'm sure I'll have them eventually, but it's not in my near future.
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mk
In Hog Heaven

I agree 100% with Jeff. Eastern black necks are tops and Oregon red spotteds are a close second. I'm on a list and have my fingers crossed to get a pair of eastern black necks - wish me luck.

I have a young 07 pair of Oregon red spotteds. Got them both eating minnows and within 2 weeks they were on f/t large pinkies / peach fuzzies. They are a bit fiesty to handle but very nice to look at! First 2 pictures are the female and the last one is the male. He has actually picked up a lot more red since the pictures was taken 2 months ago.

Steve

Hello Joe, They are burrowers for the most part. I would see them out and about only if they were hungry or if they were about to shed. They are the fiesty-est garters second only to similis (males), only it was the female O.Reds that were aggresive. They eat great, all I had went on rodents easily. Lastly they are one of the smaller garter sub-species. My experiences

best of luck w/them !

That is a GORGEOUS garter! (drool running outta right side o'mouth...)

I've heard the same re: fiesty-ness with our MN red-sided. Bigger than our Easterns and WAY MORE in your face. More aggressive (though that's relative because we're talking garters and not bulls or milks or fox snakes) than the Easterns and more likely to nip and bite.

Re-educate me here, where are the red-spotted from?
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mk
In Hog Heaven

Thanks everyone, for your well wishes and advice. I will put a pic up once they arrive. I'm very excited! I'm also getting a wandering garter with the order. I used to catch those all the time when I was a boy in Wyoming. I still think they are beautiful snakes (if not as striking as the red spots).

just make sure you get them dewormed. especially if they are from a broker.

Tom, don't DO THAT! Post pics of drop-dead, stunning, gorgeous snakes like that! It stops my heart!

Thanks for the advice and tip. Shall take it to heart.

I'm fast becoming a snake lady. You know? Like cat ladies you hear about with a bazillion cats? My list of Must Haves is off the charts. I absolutely cannot get over the diversity and beauty in native Garters. Makes my head spin. I'm so thankful Garters are garters. I've a, I can't remember... 75? 95? gallon tank here that is going to be my Garter Heaven. Will be able to happily and healthily (is that a word?) keep many garters in there. Wish I could do the same with Hoggies (sigh).

I take it those are your kids? Stunning snakes.

Seriously? Keep up with the pics! LOL!!! As much as I may moan and covet, I really do like to see all the gartery kids out there!

>>just make sure you get them dewormed. especially if they are from a broker.
>>
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mk
In Hog Heaven

Beautiful snakes, Tom. Can I deworm the snakes? Or is it best left to professionals? Is this akin to people using panacur in lizards? I don't know of a good Herp vet anywhere nearby, but I could probably find one in Philadelphia.

Thanks!

Joe

I don't know where in phila there is a vet.But there is one in the yardley area that is pretty good.I'll post it later when I find it.Those were snakes that I had a few years ago.I had a lot of nice snakes through the years.I always kick myself in the ass for getting rid of them!

Makefield animal hospital
1095 reading ave
yardley,pa 19067
215-493-3363

Beautiful, thank you Tom. I got the garters today, they are gorgeous! The male is trying hard to get the female to give in. Anything I can do to encourage the two? Thanks for the information.