Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Went to some petstores over the weekend to look at some kingsnakes and came accross an "Oregon red-sided Garter".

What was interesting is that I noticed the snake was out of his hide and just looking around at all the activity - for like the hour that I was at the store.

My experience so far has been with snakes that spend the vast majority of time in their hiding places - only visible when purposely disturbed for handling and feeding and at night.

So for you that own Garters - do they actually put on a public appearance as I seen today?

Thanks!

they do both.....hide all day, or set on top of a log all day.....depends on the mood or how hungry they are...and they are usually hungry.....I had a couple garters for a couple different times...they are seen more than alot of stuff....I fed them everyday or every other day...but not to the point they were fat and over full....and not all rodents....

....look at the care sheets in here >>>>>......
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........JY

All day everyday unless in shed. That is why they make the best pet snake period.
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Jeff Benfer
gartersnakemorph.com

Thanks for the replies! I may just have to look at one of these more seriously as I want a snake that can be seen. Most folks think I just have a hide and a bowl as pets.

"Most folks think I just have a hide and a bowl as pets."

Ha ha, so true. I have a checkered garter. It is out visible far more than any king, milk, corn or boa that I have had.

Have a Garter on my short-list of next snake, along with a Rosy Boa, Sand Boa, or Hognose. I realize those 3 are more docile than as "showy" as the Garter, but with having young handlers - docile is important.

Have a False Water Cobra that - with me - is as docile as a corn, but I shiver at the thought of handing it to a 9yr old to hold...

Most rodent eating snakes are nocturnal. They come out, but it's at night. Garters and other fish/frog eating snakes are mainly active in the daytime. Therefore they make great display snakes.

Tim

Here are a couple of my setups:

Third Eye Herp

Kinda thought so; swung by the "Enclosure" outside of PGH and they had "Oregon Garters" - that seemed super active for the time of day. I'm seriously thinking of one.

I see you are in Ohio - do you know if the Cleveland show allows False Water Cobras? Was thinking of bringing mine to the show and see if I can work a deal with someone...

Yeah, I'm in Ohio, but haven't been to a reptile show in 10 years. I think that show has a website with contact information on it.

Tim

Checked the website for the Cleveland show - yes, I can carry in a snake for some deal-makin' as long as I have a container to keep it under control... makes sense; been to a show outside of Pittsburgh where a hand-carried Tegu was ready to dismember passerbys..