Choosing a Snake...

So you've decided to get a garter snake! If you're reading this, I assume that you've already looked through other pages on this and other garter snake sites. You already know about the housing, feeding, and upkeep requirements of the species. And hopefully you've already got your tank set up, if you're really ready to go out and get your pet. Good! This page is all about what to do next, the actual aquisition of your animal. The first step involves an important choice: Captive-bred or wild-caught? There are important pros and cons to each choice.

Captive-bred- Pros: Snakes are very likely to be healthy, without parasites or diseases. You'll often be able to get a great deal of information about your snake, such as age and sex, and possibly even lineage if you're dealing with a good breeder. If you're buying from a pet store, be sure to ask whether your snake is captive-bred or not! Many pet stores sell wild-caught snakes.
               Cons: These snakes are often more expensive, especially when you're dealing with a good breeder. You pay for what you get, after all. Also, you literally won't find these snakes in your backyard. Expect to go through shipping details with a breeder, or to attend a good reptile show to find your animal.

Wild-caught- Pros: Wild-caught snakes are easy to find, if you live in a snake-populated area. You may find your pet in your backyard, or rescue them from the side of a road or a neighbor's basement. You may also find your pet at a local pet store that deals in wild-caught snakes. Because your snakes will be local, they are less expensive. And if you catch them, they're free!
               Cons: Wild snakes often carry diseases and parasites that may spell trouble for someone who doesn't know how to spot and remedy them. If you have other reptiles, these diseases may be transferred to them. Also, you should know that by catching or purchasing such an animal, you are personally depleting a wild population, or supporting a business which does so. As human habitation expands and garter snake habitat becomes less common, it is important to consider that these animals play a big role in their environment, and are sometimes needed where they are!

Once you've made your choice, the next step is deciding where to get your animal. If you're set on catching one yourself, go hunting! Garter snakes like to populate open to marshy areas, and are often found under pieces of sheet metal or plywood in early mornings. Babies are found in the late summer and early fall, when they are born. If you choose to go with a pet store or breeder, you'll have a wide selection of animals to choose from based on your personal tastes. For more about individual garter snake species and morphs, see the Species page.

If you're lucky, you'll get to hand-select your snake. This is the most likely situation if you buy from a pet store. Try to have some contact time with your animal before you purchase it. Try to find the snake whose personality best suits your needs, if you have a choice among many. Listed below are a few tips to remember when you go to take stock of your options. This is also important when considering whether to keep or release a wild-caught snake you have found yourself.

1. Make sure the snake looks healthy. The body should be plump and round, with good muscle tone. Sores, fresh scars, lesions, and other wounds are the sign of an animal in trouble. Parasites should be visible with a close inspection of the skin, and should also be avoided unless you are willing to quarantine your snake and treat it properly.

2. Avoid snakes that are about to shed their skin. This is often a stressful time for the animals, and they may fare poorly in the even more stressful situation of a new environment. A snake that is about to shed its skin has very dull scales and bluish clouded eyes. If you really like an animal in this state, ask for the store owner or breeder to hold it for you, until it has shed.

3. Is your snake expecting? Stores which deal in wild-caught animals often receive gravid (pregnant) females. If you choose one and are unprepared to deal with babies, you're asking for it! For more on how to tell whether a snake is gravid, and how to sex your animal, see the Breeding page.

4. Make sure your animal is a good eater. Many pet store employees won't really pay attention to this, but it's important to know how well your snake has been eating. Fasting is a sign of trouble, meaning that your animal is suffering from a serious health problem, about to brumate, or gravid. Good breeders will usually be able to provide information about the snake's eating habits. Knowing your snake's food of choice is also important once you move them in. Feeding them consistently will reduce stress and keep their nutrition up.

5. Most importantly, make sure that you're happy with your decision! For pretty amusing stories about how I've acquired my snakes, please see the Scaly Tales page.

Good luck!