Very UNUSUAL garter...

[VickyChaiTea]

Heyyyyy just found another garter like that one on on of the sites you guys gave!

http://www.albinogartersnake.com/projects.html

 

[Allison]

Allison, may I just say that you have a very pretty thumb.

Be very, very, quiet. In Arizona you need a fishing license to catch snakes and I'm pretty sure it is illegal to sell snakes that you have caught. Mr. Ranger reads this forum from time to time.

Wade, that you for the advice and complement
After reading up I guess I will not be doing much with this little one. Bummer.. it seems like such a waste of genes and potential to just let him back into the wilderness.
Still, I can't beat my luck and excitement with such a great find!

Heyyyyy just found another garter like that one on on of the sites you guys gave!

http://www.albinogartersnake.com/projects.html

Thanks for the link, I saw this one too. Very cool! I haven't had the luck to find any other photos... have you?

 

[Carinata]

I hate to sound really rude but, if you don't wanna take care of it, I will take it. I have bred garters three years in a row and would be willing to work witht he genes? :shrugs:

 

[Allison]

I hate to sound really rude but, if you don't wanna take care of it, I will take it. I have bred garters three years in a row and would be willing to work witht he genes? :shrugs:

Don't get me wrong, I would love to sell, breed, etc. The problem is with my state laws. I can not sell, trade, export, or import native wildlife.

 

[Carinata]

Well if it IS a Genetic morph the law may be different but w/e

 

[Floof]

Aww, it's so cute! Great find! It's a shame you have to let it go, though. Sounds like you need to get that permit... And then search for it again once you can legally capture it!

Well if it IS a Genetic morph the law may be different but w/e

I highly doubt that. Even if one found morphs in the wild all the time, I doubt law-makers would recognize the difference let alone care enough to make a special law pertaining to such a situation.

 

[Carinata]

Yea Oh well

 

[tricksterpup]

I highly doubt that. Even if one found morphs in the wild all the time, I doubt law-makers would recognize the difference let alone care enough to make a special law pertaining to such a situation.

Prime example is the Leucistic Western Hognose that was found in Colorado. IT has been mentioned here in detail mainly by KJ and Deadmouse. But basically the the entire line of Leucistic Hognose were picked up and everyone lost their animals. It was not a pretty scene in the hobby at all.
Allison, I think if you wanted to keep him you would be fine. The only time when laws like what happened with the Hognose is when Big money was involved.

 

[Nanci]

It would be nice to get him into the hands of a garter snake expert to see what potential he has. It'd be a shame to release him. IMO. He could be a _gift_, without selling or trading him.

 

[Cornsnake124]

/\ /\ /\ read that and consider it..

 

[tricksterpup]

It would be nice to get him into the hands of a garter snake expert to see what potential he has. It'd be a shame to release him. IMO. He could be a _gift_, without selling or trading him.

/\ /\ /\ read that and consider it..

I would maybe advise against that. I am not familiar with the AZ DNR but they may play hardball with her.

I remember talking to PJ when I had snakes sent to me and the DNR busted some guy shipping Spring Peepers.
If its kept as a pet or even using it for a breeding colony (after the right permits are gained) i think she is fine but sending it out after posting on a thread like this.. bad news.

 

[Carinata]

It would be nice to get him into the hands of a garter snake expert to see what potential he has. It'd be a shame to release him. IMO. He could be a _gift_, without selling or trading him.

If you wanted to that it could work! I breed garters all the time AND have soemone who can give me a normal color terrestrial

 

[RobbiesCornField]

Well if it IS a Genetic morph the law may be different but w/e

The only issue is even genetic morphs are still the same species. No matter what morph it is, it's still a native species.

 

[wade]

Allison, I do think it is unusual enough that you should at least investigate it more before you talk about releasing it. Try to contact Scott Felzer at the web site linked above and see what he thinks. He really is the final word in garters.

That said, do be aware of the laws and be careful what you say on the Internet.

 

[Carinata]

Also Amy Zerkle is one of the Garter People I would trust. I am getting 1.1 Red spotteds and another king rat from her in November at the Clevland Show. In VA any genetic morph of a native snake can be sold as if it was exotic

 

[Carinata]

Mabye it is LIKE a Piebald BUT instead of lack of color it is lack of pigment like a hypo pied thingy! :shrugs: :shrugs:

 

[RobbiesCornField]

I think you should wait until it sheds at least once to see EXACTLY what the colors are before trying to determine what it is.

 

[Rich in KY]

It is a very interesting looking garter, Allison!

 

[Allison]

I think you should wait until it sheds at least once to see EXACTLY what the colors are before trying to determine what it is.

Thank you for the advice everyone. I agree that it is too unique to just release back into the Rio to get chomped by birds or abused by kids with sticks.
I can't do much with him/her yet so I will wait for a shed or two and keep everyone updated on it's status.

Here are a few new shots from today-

I could stare at it for hours, the color blows my mind!

 

[Cornsnake124]

that snake is a REALLY tame garter... I am kinda wondering if maybe... it could be an escaped pet or something?? i wouldn't think that a morph would just develope on its own in the wild..