Let's talk about all the questions you may have ....

Ah, the age-old FAQ section. We're gonna spill the beans and share 'em with you here.

How does Gravid Garters ship?

When it comes to shipping, we use FedEx Priority Overnight Service. After you place your order, we will contact you to arrange a shipping date that works best for you and ensure someone will be available to sign for the package at the designated delivery address. Please note that our shipping is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with deliveries available on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Here's the deal: When your animal arrives, you've got to move like lightning and pick it up within the first hour. No exceptions, no delays, no putting it off till later. We're talking about time being of the essence here, so get that animal and get moving, my friends.

But here's where things really get serious. If, God forbid, there's an issue with your animal's arrival, we need you to immediately contact us with all the details. Don't skimp on the info - we want pictures, we want detailed accounts of what happened, we want the whole shebang.

And now, for the kicker: We don't cover vet bills. You're the one responsible for those fees.

So, let's sum it up for you. When it comes to picking up your animal at the FedEx hub, be prompt, be prepared, and be ready to take charge if anything goes wrong. We've got your back, but it's up to you to be the first line of defense. Together, we'll make sure your animal arrives safely and soundly.

How are shipping rates determined?

Alright, let's tackle this shipping situation head-on. Look, my friend, I'm just gonna be straight with you - the cost of shipping is completely out of our hands. Fedex calls all the shots here!Shipping rates will vary! Where you live, how big those animals are, and how many you've ordered - all these factors play a role in determining the final shipping cost.Oh, and before I forget, let me drop a friendly reminder: full payment is gonna be required before we can wave goodbye to those cute critters and send 'em off to their new home. It's like sticking to the good ol' tradition of paying your bar tab before you swagger out the door.

Do you ship internationally?

For international customers, please note that we do not export live animals due to the high costs and paperwork involved.

Does Gravid Garter Have Local Pickup?

Are you in the neighborhood? Fantastic news! We're thrilled to offer local pickup for your convenience. When it comes to your snake's well-being, less travel time is definitely the way to go!To make this happen, all you need to do is shoot us an email, and we'll take care of the rest. We'll work together to schedule a pickup that suits your schedule, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience for you and your slithery friend.

With local pickup, you'll have your snake with you in no time, without the hassle of shipping. It's the best-case scenario for both you and your scaly companion.So why wait?Send us that email and let's arrange your snake's VIP ride home!

Does Gravid Garter have a waitlist?

Thank you for your interest in our Garter snakes! We currently have a waitlist in place to manage the demand for these amazing creatures. While we don't require a down payment to secure your spot on the list, we kindly ask that you only sign up if you're genuinely interested in owning one of our Garter snakes.

Rest assured that we value every person on the waitlist. As soon as Garter snakes become available, we will reach out to each individual in the order they joined the list. This ensures fairness and transparency in our process. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to connect you with your future Garter snake companion.

What should I buy for my garter snake?

Absolutely! We are thrilled that you're dedicated to ensuring your garter snake has an amazing life. Creating a terrarium that feels like the perfect home is essential for your little Mr. or Ms. Snakey.

That's why we've prepared this fantastic document to help you navigate the shopping process. It's like a snake shopping guide made just for you, a reptile-savvy badass who wants nothing but the best for their slithery sidekick.

By recreating the natural environment of a garter snake, you'll provide them with the ideal conditions to thrive. They'll be happy, healthy, and always ready to join the party. Watch them chow down on their delicious meals with enthusiasm, knowing they're in the best of care.

So get ready, because with our nifty shopping guide, you'll become the ultimate reptile wrangler. You'll know exactly what to buy and how to create an awe-inspiring habitat for your snake. Your garter snake will flourish under your loving care, and you'll be the superhero of the reptile world. Let the adventures begin!

Alright, my fellow snake enthusiasts, it's time to get down to business! If you're about to bring home a garter snake, we've got a shopping list that will make your reptile dreams come true.

 

Here's what you'll need to throw the ultimate snake party & the items we suggest are the exact items we use:

 

        1. Glass Terrarium: Say goodbye to those cheap plastic storage tub enclosures. Get your garter snake a swanky glass terrarium that screams, "I'm a sophisticated reptile living my best life!"  Garter snakes are nosey little creatures. They want to look out at the world, bask under the sun and get all the attention that a tub will not provide!  We favor the Repti Zoo 36" x 18" x 18" in our snake room - get it here.  We highly suggest 48 hours before you receive your snake to silicone the lid onto the tank permanently and silicone ALL the port holes besides one (for the thermostat).
        2. Climbing trees:  Enrichment is what will keep your pet happy.  Provide many places for them to climb.  We suggest this one.

        3. Substrate: Don't skimp on the substrate, my friends. Go for options like Eco Earth or large coco chunks. Skip the sand and gravel—those are just party crashers waiting to happen.  We suggest this or this.

        4. Hiding Spots: Snakes need their personal VIP hideouts to retreat to when the party gets too wild. Hook them up with some artificial caves or sturdy plant clippings, and watch them snuggle in like true introverted party animals.  We suggest this, or this, or this.

        5. Heat Lamp: Let's bring the heat, baby! You'll need a heat lamp to create a temperature gradient in the terrarium. It's like having a kick-ass DJ that keeps the party hot, while still providing a cool spot for your snake to chill.  We suggest this one!

        6. Deli Cups -  This makes for always having a clean water supply.  We use one per week in each tank.  If you do not use throw away cups for a water dish make sure that you are running the water bowl through the dishwasher on a sterile mode.  We suggest these deli cups.

        7. Thermometer: Don't rely on your intuition to gauge the temps. Get a real-deal thermometer to keep an eye on the party atmosphere. We want to keep your snake cozy, not turn it into a crispy critter.  NO stick-on thermostats either!  Those things will get stuck on your sneaky snake!  We suggest this one.

        8. Water Dish: Every good host provides refreshments, right? Set up a classy water dish where your garter snake can sip and soak in style. Just remember to keep it clean, 'cause no one likes a dirty cocktail.

        9. Pre-killed Frozen Rodents: Let's talk food, my friends. To keep your snake satisfied, stock up on appropriately sized, pre-killed or thawed frozen rodents. Mice, rats, silversides, chicken hearts—the reptile buffet is open!

        10. Food Chopper: For the little guys, who still can't handle the full-sized delicacies, bust out that food chopper like it's a DJ booth. Give those neonates and juveniles a mix they won't forget.  We suggest this.

        11. Thermostat: Safety first, party later! Don't forget to snag a thermostat to ensure the temperature doesn't go all "fire and brimstone" in the terrarium. Let's keep the whole place rockin', not burnin' down the house. We suggest this one.

        12. Veterinarian: Finally, make sure you have the number of a good reptile vet on speed dial. These folks are the real VIPs in the snake world—keeping your scaly friend healthy and ready to hit the party scene.

        13. Chlorhexidine:  A very important cleaning product for your terrarium (get it here).  You simply mix it with water (per the package instructions) and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.  Rinse thoroughly.

        14. Steam cleaner:  These are so important for disinfecting tools & empty terrariums. There are tons to choose from but this one is what we use.  Do not use a steam cleaner anywhere near your snake! This cleaners can burn you or your pet.  Make sure the snake is out of the area and into a different enclosure while you are steaming!

Now that you've got the shopping list for the ultimate garter snake extravaganza, go out there and give your new slithery sidekick the time of its life! After all, it's not just a snake—it's a party waiting to happen. 

Hey there, savvy shoppers! Just a heads up: those handy-dandy links up there? Well, they're connected to our Amazon affiliate program. What does that mean, you ask? It means that if you decide to click and purchase one of those items, we get a teensy-weensy commission. And let's be real, it's so frickin' tiny that it won't even cover the cost of a cheap cup of coffee.

But hey, here's the deal: we're all about transparency. We don't wanna leave you hangin'. So, here's the scoop: we actually buy and use all of these exact items in our own facility. Yeah, we put our money where our mouth is (or rather, where our snake is slithering).

So, if you're feeling generous and wanna help us keep the lights on, go ahead and make your purchases through those affiliate links. But let's be crystal clear: we're not tryin' to pull a fast one on ya. We're just trying to hustle a bit in this wild, wild world of commerce.

At the end of the day, what matters most to us is building a relationship with ya based on trust, respect, and a shared sense of humor. So, if you decide to shop elsewhere or use different links, we totally get it. We won't hold a grudge. We're just here to help you find the best damn products for your garter snake rager.

Alright, now that you know the score, let's get back to the party-planning, shall we? Snakes and adventures await!

Should I feed my garter snakes as a community or by themselves?

It looks like there's a bit of a debate going on in the snake community about whether it's better to feed these guys all together or separately. Some folks swear by communal feeding, while others like to keep their snakes in their own little feeding containers. There is a risk of your snakes going all "Hunger Games" on each other over a tasty meal.

But don't you worry, because communal feeding is what I do! Just make sure you keep a close eye on them when it's time to chow down. If they start getting a little too competitive over that grub going in their belly, you might need to intervene and gently separate them before things get out of hand. I usually offer up a delicious smörgåsbord of cut up pinkies, chicken hearts, and silversides on a small dish in the evening. IMPORTANT: I never leave them to eat alone! I keep my eyeballs on them at all times and break up any fights that might happen.

Now, if your snakes are a bit more grown-up, you can try feeding them whole prey using some tongs to avoid any unsavory confrontation. So, don't be afraid to give communal feeding a shot and feed your slithery pals with confidence! And hey, if anything crazy goes down, you know who to holler at.

Is it safe to eat live worms & fish?

Are you aware that live food like worms and guppies can sometimes carry pesky parasites? Yeah, not exactly the best news! And trust us, it's definitely a "no bueno" situation for your pets.

Thankfully, we've got a solution. We suggest deep freezing those worms and guppies for a minimum of 30 days before serving them up as tasty treats to your slithery friend. It may seem like a hassle, but let's be real, keeping those babies healthy and happy is worth it.

Trust us, your pets will thank you.

How do I place an order with Gravid Garters?

Thank you for your interest in placing an order with us. You have two options to place your order: you can use our shopping cart to complete your order online, or you can contact us directly via phone or email. However, before we ship out any orders, we will verify your shipping information personally to ensure accuracy.

Do you offer guarantees?

Please note that we guarantee the live arrival of all our animals. We guarantee that they are healthy, feeding, and sexed to the best of our ability (with no guarantee). 

We've got an important protocol to share with you regarding the arrival of your animal at the Fedex hub. 

Here's the deal: Once your animal arrives, you gotta hustle your ass and pick it up within the first hour. Yeah, you read that right. No dilly-dallying, no procrastinating. Time is of the essence, my friends.

And here's the kicker: If by some unfortunate turn of events there's an issue with your animal, we need you to immediately get in touch with us. And hey, we're not talking about a simple text message here. We want pictures, detailed info - the whole shebang. Give us the scoop on what went down.

Now, listen closely, because this part is crucial: We don't cover any vet bills. You are responsible for all those fees. 

So, there you have it. When it comes to the arrival of your animal at the Fedex hub, be prompt, be prepared, and be ready to take charge if shit hits the fan. We've got your back, but it's a team effort, my friends!

How do I thaw frozen rodents (or other food source)?

When it comes to preparing a frozen rodent, you have a couple of options. You can either let that critter kick back on your kitchen counter and defrost naturally, or you can give it a warm water bath to speed up the process.

But here's the deal: please, please, please for the love of all that is holy, do not microwave those rodents.

What if my snake has stuck shed?

So, your garter snake is experiencing a minor fashion crisis with some stuck shed. No need to sweat it, we're here to help you handle it like a pro. Let's explore the different methods to address this clingy situation using a trusty plastic tub with some convenient air holes.

Option #1: Treat your garter snake to a luxurious spa session by soaking them in approximately half an inch of water that's around 85 degrees. Allow them to soak in style for a good 30 minutes.

Option #2: and a personal favorite, is the magical paper towel method. Dampen a paper towel with warm water, squeeze out any excess and place it inside a tub. Place the tub, with a lid and air holes into the tank. Have it sitting in the middle of the tank so it isn't under direct heat. Then, let your snake embark on a little cruise by slithering around the towel for an hour or more (sometimes even overnight if needed). Remove the snake from the tub and slip on a rubber glove. Gently guide your snake through your hands to remove the stubborn shed.


Now, here's the deal breaker: if you happen to come across an eye cap or a piece of shed that's causing any discomfort or restriction, it's time to bring in the experts. Reach out to a local breeder or vet who knows all the ins and outs of shedding emergencies. Don't worry, they'll have all the knowledge and tools needed to assist you.