Well i decided to make a threat to help people with pets because i ask too many queastions so here is a basic care guide for garter snakes.
Housing
In most cases when keeping pets in an enclosure, bigger is better. However with the garter snake, it feels hostile and insecure in a large enclosure and too smale i bet you already know why
. keep the lid secure as it flattens itself out to escape. it really does not matter about what decorations, just as long as you include the essantials, such as a hide box etc. be sure to keep a little pool of water in the enclosure, too.a thermal gradient should provide a high side temperature in the mid to upper 80s F. to around 70 on the down end.a fully grown one i think will do fine a 40 gal breeder, depending on the size.
Feeding
In the wild, Garter snakes eat worms, slugs, amphibians and small fish. Most captive diets include earthworms, small feeder fish and smaller sized rodents. An exclusive diet of fish should be avoided as this will cause a vitamin B1 deficiency and ultimately, death
.
Cleaning
Garter snakes will feed on fish freqently and the dead fish will decay quickly as with your aquarium with fish.They cannot be neglected to the same extent as mouse feeders. Enclosures should be cleaned when soiled. Washable floor coverings should be soaked weekly in a SAFE water/bleach solution, then throughly rinsed and dried. For convinience, buy two pieces of floor coverings and rotate them.
Health
Garter snakes are generally hardy animals and should always be active and alert, feed regularly, exhibit good skin and have a clear nose, mouth and eyes (except when about to shed). Any signs contrary to this should be reported to a herptological vet.
Housing
In most cases when keeping pets in an enclosure, bigger is better. However with the garter snake, it feels hostile and insecure in a large enclosure and too smale i bet you already know why
. keep the lid secure as it flattens itself out to escape. it really does not matter about what decorations, just as long as you include the essantials, such as a hide box etc. be sure to keep a little pool of water in the enclosure, too.a thermal gradient should provide a high side temperature in the mid to upper 80s F. to around 70 on the down end.a fully grown one i think will do fine a 40 gal breeder, depending on the size.Feeding
In the wild, Garter snakes eat worms, slugs, amphibians and small fish. Most captive diets include earthworms, small feeder fish and smaller sized rodents. An exclusive diet of fish should be avoided as this will cause a vitamin B1 deficiency and ultimately, death
. Cleaning
Garter snakes will feed on fish freqently and the dead fish will decay quickly as with your aquarium with fish.They cannot be neglected to the same extent as mouse feeders. Enclosures should be cleaned when soiled. Washable floor coverings should be soaked weekly in a SAFE water/bleach solution, then throughly rinsed and dried. For convinience, buy two pieces of floor coverings and rotate them.
Health
Garter snakes are generally hardy animals and should always be active and alert, feed regularly, exhibit good skin and have a clear nose, mouth and eyes (except when about to shed). Any signs contrary to this should be reported to a herptological vet.
