Eastern Garter Snake

[Linda Bowers]

My daughter has found a garter snake and wants to keep it as a pet. We have it in an aquarium with some green like carpet material we purchased from a pet store. I also put in a there a box for a hiding place, a rock, a bowl of water, and a big branch. What should I feed it? It is about 12 inches long, and its head is about 1/4 inch wide. Will earth worms and crickets due? How often and how much should I feed it? I also have the aquarium under fluorescent shop lights. Will it require any other type of lighting?? I planned on cleaning the water bowl and washing the carpet once a week. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated since we've never had a snake before.

 

[mouse]

i don't know anything about snakes...but in a "reptile-shop" i've been in the other day i seen a califoornia garter snake that was about the size you mentioned. and i seen crickets thrown in there. that might work....
dianne

 

[Yve]

you should put it back...its a wild caught animal...its illegal to take wildlife out of its natural habitat. You're depleting natural populations which works against conservation. Do some reading on good beginner snakes...there is much information out there and then purchase a captive bred one...corns make very good beginner snakes. You'll also improve your chances of having a healthy snake that will adapt to being in captivity (less stress, good feeder).

 

[Elizabeth]

It's illegal to take wildlife out of its natural habitat? Well, that must be tough for you Canadians! Only if an animal is protected is it illegal to catch and keep it, and so according to NY State law and then Federal law, that garter snake catch might be A-OK, legally-speaking...

Otherwise, I agree that a captive-bred snake is the best way to go. So many choices. How about a CB garter snake and a good book.

 

[Yve]

I should've been more clear Elizabeth...i meant, if its protected or has any other stipulations to its removal ...I kind of jumped on that one...

 

[Elizabeth]

(I understand, Yve. Just an "oops".)

So, how is the little (?) visitor doing, Linda? Is he taking the crickets and worms? Have you managed to find more info somewhere else since you aren't really get lots of care info here? How is he behaving? Settling in or irritable at being confined?

 

[Yve]

(I understand, Yve. Just an "oops".)

thank you, once again, for pointing out the error I acknowledged.

 

[Linda Bowers]

Elizabeth: The snake is becoming more receptive to being held. I've offered him/her some earthworms and crickets. I don't think he has eaten anything yet. I wasn't watching real carefully with the crickets I had given him, so that's why I'm not sure if he has eaten. He hasn't eaten the worms. I am watching more carefully now.

 

[Linda Bowers]

Elizabeth: Yes, I have found books at the library and info on the internet. The snake is about 1 foot long with a head width of about 1/4 inch. It's just much easier to speak with someone who has raised them before instead of searching -- it's so time consuming.

 

[misfitsfiend]

I have caught 2 corns in the wild a while back and keept them in captivity for a while to see if I could breed some cb snakes, eggs were never porduced, so ooh well. But I can tell you that if crickets and worms dont work, try a few pinkys once a week.

 

[WhyTeDraGon]

Here's a good caresheet for you, lots of good info.
Garters are easy to care for, so you shouldn't have a problem. I have never had one refuse food. Although mine much prefered live fish thrown in a bowl of water that they can chase....and not to mention its fun to watch, lol. They also REALLY love nightcrawlers.

http://consulnetjdm.dyndns.org:8081/herptiles/thamnophissirtaliscare.htm

Good Luck!

~Crystal Light

 

[Linda Bowers]

Crystal Light: Thanks for that great site!! That helps me out a lot. Do you know what the difference is between a night crawler and a red wriggler??? I want to make sure I'm providing the right type of worm!

 

[WhyTeDraGon]

I have never seen a red wigglers, but im sure if its a night crawler, it'll be labeled. I would NOT recommend getting any out of your garden or outside, as they're most likely loaded with pesticides. Go to your local walmart or tackle & fishing store, and you can buy them by the dozen, or in 24 packs, not to mention they last a long time in the fridge.
All I know is that Night Crawlers are really big and fat, lol.

Also, what are you using for heating?

Btw, have you tried using pinky mice yet? Try that before anything else, that's your best bet at a healthy parasite free diet. If you can get it on that, BRAVO. If that doesnt work, try the other things I listed.


~Crystal

 

[Linda Bowers]

Crystal: I think my snake is too small for pinkies -- his head is only about 1/4 inch wide. I don't use any type of pesticides in my garden -- wouldn't the worms be alright? I don't have anything for heat except the light that is above the aquarium he's in.

 

[WhyTeDraGon]

Linda, you'd be suprised what a snake can fit into its jaws, LOL.
Get the smallest pinkies you can find, and offer them to him, you'll see. Most people start their hatchlings on pinkies with no problem, so you shouldn't have a problem either. If your snake refuses pinkies, try scenting them with some of the other foods ive listed, since pinkies are your safest bet. If you have to use anything besides rodents, you'll have to suppliment with calcium (I use Repcal Phosphorus Free w/vit D3)

I suggest getting a heating pad and placing it underneath one side of the tank under a piece of cardboard (you dont want it to overheat), the cool side should be about 70-75, and the warm side to 85-88F. As for the light, do away with it, let the snake be able to see the transition from night to day, also..no UVB is needed.

As for substrate, hands down the best would be paper towels or newspaper. But if you prefer something a little more "natural" looking, go for Aspen. Do not use cedar chips or Pine shavings, these are loaded with toxic oils and can be harmful if swallowed.

Other things you'll need is a water dish, of course, big enough to allow the garter to soak in. Decor is up to you, fake plants, rocks and such are fine.

Use a hide box on both ends of the enclosure, so the snake doesn't have to choose to be warm 24/7 just to stay hidden.

Good luck!
~Crystal

 

[pitbulllady]

you should put it back...its a wild caught animal...its illegal to take wildlife out of its natural habitat. You're depleting natural populations which works against conservation. Do some reading on good beginner snakes...there is much information out there and then purchase a captive bred one...corns make very good beginner snakes. You'll also improve your chances of having a healthy snake that will adapt to being in captivity (less stress, good feeder).

Wildlife laws vary from state to state in the US(the original poster is in NY state); there are NO National laws in the US prohibiting taking wild animals into captivity unless these are considered Threatened or Endangered. Insofar as I know, the state of New York does not prohibit capturing and keeping Garter Snakes in captivity. I myself am an avid herper and capture several snakes each year, which I use in educational talks. The number of snakes taken from the wild by hobby collectors pales in comparison with the number of snakes killed on highways or by deliberate human violent reactions. If you don't like catching wild snakes, don't do it, but don't try to force that opinion on others! I've found little difference, as for as health, temperament, etc., between wild-caught snakes and captive-bred ones. I know in my state there are no laws against capturing snakes and keeping them, except for the Eastern Indigo, which is probably no longer found in South Carolina(IF it ever was found here, a question that is in doubt), anyway, due not to collecting, but to loss of habitat from developement. THAT is the main threat against wild snakes' survival!

Garter Snakes are also very good beginner snakes, even though most are not typically rodent feeders. I feed my Garters large earthworms(well, depending on size)and small feeder fish, especially minnows, which can both be purchased at bait shops. Avoid feeding goldfish except on occasions, as goldfish contain an enzyme which can interfere with the snake's ability to utilize certain nutrients. A 12-inch Garter can do fine on large "night crawlers" and "rosey reds"(small feeder fish). Sometimes they can be switched over to pinky mice by scenting the mice with fish, if dealing with fish or worms is too much trouble.

pitbulllady

 

[Linda Bowers]

Crystal: Good news! Lucy (the garter) has eaten a cricket. I will go to the pet store and get a pinkie. How will I know when to feed it to her?? I wouldn't want to put it in the cage if she isn't hungry -- won't it spoil if it isn't consumed right away?? The lights that are above the snake are on a timer, so it does simulate day and night since my setups are in the basement. Thanks a lot for all your help and suggestions -- it's gotten me on the right track!! Are there different size pinkies??? What should I look for in a pinkie?

 

[Linda Bowers]

pitbulllady: My garter has eaten a cricket so far. Regarding earthworms, I have read that garters should only be fed nightcrawlers and not red wigglers or garden worms because they can be lethal to the snake. Do you know anything about this?? I have no idea how to tell a nightcrawler from a red wiggler or a garden worm.

 

[pitbulllady]

pitbulllady: My garter has eaten a cricket so far. Regarding earthworms, I have read that garters should only be fed nightcrawlers and not red wigglers or garden worms because they can be lethal to the snake. Do you know anything about this?? I have no idea how to tell a nightcrawler from a red wiggler or a garden worm.

I've never heard of this. Insofar as I know, all are just different species of earthworms. I have fed both wild-caught earthworms found under boards, etc., and domestically-raised bait worms, with no problems. I guess the reasoning is that wild-collected worms could have some contamination with pesticides, whereas those raised in controlled conditions wouldn't have that problem.

As far as pinkie mice go, unless they are scented with fish, frogs, or other typical Garter menu items, the snake is likely to ignore it, or even be afraid of it. Garters are not, by nature, rodent eaters, though they can be conditioned to accept rodents by scenting them with other prey items. I'd stick with worms and small fish.

pitbulllady

 

[Yve]

If you don't like catching wild snakes, don't do it, but don't try to force that opinion on others!

i merely voiced my opinion...you don't need to yell at me.