New Acqusitions: California Red-Sided Garters

My reverse-trio of Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis just arrived this morning. They were produced by Scott Felzer. The sex ratio in the litter was way male-heavy, so I couldn't get a pair without picking up an additional male. Oh well; I can live with it. Their mother is the only known hypo infernalis in existence, and these guys are hets.

These are some of the smallest snakes I've ever handled. Two of them weigh about 2.5g, and the other one weighs about 3g. And man are they fast with some incredible vertical climbing ability!

So here are Marilyn, Robert, and Jack:

One more set:

Cute and TINY! I like those tongues!

:cheers:

That first picture of her is the greatest.
So does that mean that soon you'll be producing rare hypo garters
Well whenever they reach breeding age....whenever that may be.

Those three are eye-catching to say the least... I think I still prefer the blues ones though

Nice! I love the tongues. Any reason for the names??? Is it because she possibly did both of them?

desertanimal said:

Cute and TINY! I like those tongues!

:cheers:

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Thanks Stephanie. Their tongues ARE waaay cool.

Corny Noob said:

That first picture of her is the greatest.
So does that mean that soon you'll be producing rare hypo garters
Well whenever they reach breeding age....whenever that may be.

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Thanks Jenn. I hope to produce rare hypo infernalis garters. Funny thing is that I don't really like the looks of the hypo mom as much as that of the normals. But I couldn't resist the cutting-edge morph anyway.

Weebonilass said:

Those three are eye-catching to say the least... I think I still prefer the blues ones though

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Thanks Ginger. For me, these are about tied with the Puget blues. Depends on if I'm in a red mood or a blue mood. But my Eastern black-neckeds are still my favorites.

Nanci said:

Nice! I love the tongues. Any reason for the names???

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Thanks Nanci. I was trying to come up with names of famous love-triangle participants, real or fictitious. I couldn't really come up with anything that I liked. But then I thought of Marilyn Monroe and her alleged relations with the Kennedy brothers, and so I went with those names.

Weebonilass said:

Those three are eye-catching to say the least... I think I still prefer the blues ones though

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I think I'd have a hard time choosing. All the Garter posts I've seen had great colors and a nice overall look. I'm starting to think that it would be easier to make room for a tiny snake instead of another corn.
Thanks for showing us these Dean.

Roy Munson said:

But then I thought of Marilyn Monroe and her alleged relations with the Kennedy brothers, and so I went with those names.

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Damn that's what I thought, I was gonna say that.

alan said:

I think I'd have a hard time choosing. All the Garter posts I've seen had great colors and a nice overall look. I'm starting to think that it would be easier to make room for a tiny snake instead of another corn.
Thanks for showing us these Dean.

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Yeah, it's tough to pick favorites. Only a few years ago I had no idea how many varieties and morphs of garters there were. The first time I went to Scott Felzer's site, I knew I was going to be in trouble.

Most garters don't get very big, especially the males. But from what I've read, most people seem to recommend more space for them than what is usually recommended for corns. Of course, at this point a 6qt shoebox tub is a lot of space for these tiny guys.

Very cool looking kids there Dean!
Bummer I CAN'T get them here.. LOL

What a great group Dean! I love that first tongue shot - wonderful clarity.
And I am digging the names...I was pretty sure I knew the theme as soon as I saw it.
I swear - eventually I need to get myself some garters - I just love the wide variety of morphs available!

Congrats, Dean!:cheers:

They are beautiful!

California Red Sided (T. s. infernalis) is one of the Garters on my short list of other Garters I'd like to get. Those and Eastern Flames (T. s. sirtalis).

Look forward to seeing the progress of these babies, your newest trio.

Dean,
I am so envious right now on these guys. I have been wanting a pair for a while now but I think these will be next year add ons.

Thanks Gene and Katie! :cheers:

Pasodama said:

Congrats, Dean!:cheers:

They are beautiful!

California Red Sided (T. s. infernalis) is one of the Garters on my short list of other Garters I'd like to get. Those and Eastern Flames (T. s. sirtalis).

Look forward to seeing the progress of these babies, your newest trio.

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Thanks Deb. I knew you'd like 'em. Boy are they tiny, though. Musky little devils too...

tricksterpup said:

Dean,
I am so envious right now on these guys. I have been wanting a pair for a while now but I think these will be next year add ons.

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Scott still has some left-- straight-ups and het hypos too...

Roy Munson said:

Scott still has some left-- straight-ups and het hypos too...

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Thanks Dean but sadly I am on a snake budget this yea, and garters are not in that budget.

Wow! They're awesome Dean :cheers: Their tongues are amazing Garters are so often overlooked, is that because of their size, temperament etc.? Am I right in thinking that they musk too?

Snake Dave said:

Wow! They're awesome Dean :cheers: Their tongues are amazing Garters are so often overlooked, is that because of their size, temperament etc.? Am I right in thinking that they musk too?

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Thanks Dave! I'm thinking that they're overlooked because so many people here in North America have them in their backyards. I know that's why I overlooked them for so long. They stay small, but not tiny, so that's probably not a factor. Their temperament is not for those who want a handling snake. Some of them are pretty mellow, but a lot of them are high-strung. And being non-constrictors, they don't wrap around your hand or fingers for easy handling. They're on the move! And yeah, they do musk. I guess it usually diminishes as they mature. But my black-necked garters get meaner and muskier as they get bigger and bigger!

Like Dean, I think that they are often overlooked because people think of them as "common place" and are snakes that you can, fairly readily, find "in your own back yard". Plus, not being snakes that will just "hang out", with you, wrapped around a finger or arm.

Garters can come to musk less, or not at all, as they become accustomed to handling (be they younger or older, it seems). 'Course, some Garter species are more apt to musk (or less apt to), than others,... and some species are nicer (temperament) than others.

I, myself, really love Garters. They have an aura of intelligence about them, are active during the day, are inquisitive, can come in beautiful colors/patterns, etc. I, also, really like that my Garters actually seem glad to see me and will come right up to the glass (to me)... 'course, this is because they know I am the source of their food but I really like that they come up to me. They will, also, just lay there, and watch you (while you are in the room), with apparent curiosity. As with many snakes, they will dart, for cover, at sudden movements ... however, unlike many snakes, they will, quickly, turn right around and look from their cover (they are very visual oriented snakes) and, often times, will come back out once they see that it is safe &/or that it is "only you".
If someone were to take the time, there is much to appreciate about Garters.

What beauties! Nice pick-up :cheers: