My next very lovely snake

Melesse · #1 (**permalink**) 04-07-2002, 08:23 PM

Well, not yet, I'm still looking. But I'm thinking on a garter or a racer or a rat....

Florida Blue Garter snakes caught my eye when I was in Florida for Spring Break (did a little fun herping in Everglades...Didn't touch, just looked....touching's a crime there [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]), but I used to catch Racers and Black Rats in Ohio when I lived there, so those would be nice too. What are the main care points, as I can't seem to find information on these many places. Seems like noone wants Garter snakes or Rat snakes. Where are the best places to find them? Diamond Reptiles advertised Florida Blue's, but said they weren't available at this time. Any thoughts?

Ok, so summary, as I tend towards wordy [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
Care?
Where can I buy?
Rat, Racer, or Garter?

Thanks,
Matt
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#2 (**permalink**) 04-07-2002, 09:27 PM

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE>
Rat, Racer, or Garter?</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

I'd opt for the rat snake myself. Racers are kinda crappy pets, a little to active and high strung. Garter snakes, well, I like them, but I doubt I'd ever pay for one.

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE>
Where can I buy?</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

Once you decide on species, do a search on the name, both common and scientific.

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE>
Care?</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

Colubrids are pretty simple to keep. Basically, keep the hot side 85 or under and the cool side above 65, provide water and shelter, feed as needed. Happy colubrid that lives for 10 years.

Black rats get to a decent size, in fact the biggest North American Elaphe, so a 4x2x2 may be required for an adult specimen, as they have been recorded at over 8', but 6' is more the norm.

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Melesse · #3 (**permalink**) 04-07-2002, 09:50 PM

Yea, I've caught five foot Black Rats before. I've never really handled racers, but I like the look, but if they're iffy pets, then I'll hold off on them maybe.

I would pay for a Garter I couldn't get here [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] One of my friends asked me if I wanted a Garter from CT, she apparently catches them all the time. Are there any major problems with wild caught over Captive Bred? Besides settling them down?

Matt
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bewSi · #4 (**permalink**) 04-07-2002, 09:56 PM

Get a Jewel Racer. You will sit in awe as you stare at this snake. My local reptile store got 7 Jewel's in.. the manager took 4 home for himself. They are hard to take care of, but man.. its worth the hassle. Ive never seen a better looking snake.
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#5 (**permalink**) 04-07-2002, 10:00 PM

Yeah there is..parasites ..ugh.
The garters I keep I do NOT house like my other colubrids..I do not keep em on heat. I just go with the naturally occuring temps is all. Have never had a problem doing this either. We did have a recent post her eon RTB from someone who has kept lighting/heat on their garter and wound up with a problem from it also [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif[/img]
If you like the garter snakes..I'd go with that one personally.
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bewSi · #6 (**permalink**) 04-07-2002, 10:03 PM

Here's a pic for you..

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Melesse · #7 (**permalink**) 04-07-2002, 10:32 PM

#$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& that's gorgeous. Hmmm, time to start looking [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] Any thoughts where to find one?

Matt
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#8 (**permalink**) 04-08-2002, 02:01 AM

Bewsi..That snake is GORGEOUS!
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Melesse · #9 (**permalink**) 04-08-2002, 02:19 AM

Yes'm, you're right. See my post in the other thread [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] What I would give to have one of these babies....

Although I did just find a couple Black Pine snakes for sale...looks awful close to an Indigo, which I would love to have, too bad their endangered [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]

Too many snakes, not enough time [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]

Matt
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