Thamnophis atratus zaxanthus

[Kevmaster06]

Is this species of garter snake semi-aquatic? I have one that seemed to enjoy being in its water dish. Also does anyone know a good guide to garter snakes in US? Because i have seen ones for spiders, centipedes lizards and birds, Just cant find one for snakes.

 

[DrJ]

Most garter snakes like water and will enjoy swimming quarters...so, a water dish is probably not the best. I would recommend getting a 40 breeder setup and convert part of it into somewhat of a little pond. If you go to Dickerson Park Zoo, they have a nice little set-up for some sort of snake with a water pool. I can't remember what kind of snake it is, but that type of set-up would work great! It's definitely worth a look seeing as you live right there in Springfield. Here's a link to a great site regarding this specie's behaviour: http://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/t.a.zaxanthus.html#description They seem to say that these guys LOVE water! Haha!

Well, there are thousands of great snake guides, but getting one for garters is a little tricky. I have seen them, their just not as common.
Here is a book specifically regarding garters: http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...zines/snake-books/-/garter-and-ribbon-snakes/

 

[LeilaNami]

yeah the semiaquatic set up is probably best. I've had some bad experience with my X. vittata getting a septicemia infection from bacteria in his water dish even though we cleaned it daily. He ended up passing on after two days of getting the infection even with medication.

 

[Kevmaster06]

Wow, That stinks. I feel really sorry for you.

I read on a guide to Garter snakes that having a place for them to be able to swim is bad. The reason for this supposedly is that garter snakes develop blister disease. IS this true? I do not know what that is but i don't want any snake of mine ending up with a disease.


EDIT:Found it!This place is moderately helpful.

 

[LeilaNami]

If you feed it fish then yes, putting the fish in the swimming area can cause blister disease. I believe that's what happened with mine.

 

[loxoscelesfear]

garters are fine w/ a small water dish, news paper , and hide box. keeping them dry means keeping them healthy.

 

[Kevmaster06]

garters are fine w/ a small water dish, news paper , and hide box. keeping them dry means keeping them healthy.

Going by that should i put a small piece of cloth under the hide so that it will sort of dry off? Like a face clothe or something?

 

[loxoscelesfear]

kev,
i keep all my thams in spacious tank (20 gal) w/ newspaper for "substrate", a water dish big enough to get a good drink from, and a hide box. From personal experience, I have found that thams sometimes soak for extended periods in large water bowls which can lead to those annoying skin blisters. Garters poop alot so newspaper makes for easy cleaning. When it comes shed time, I put a large water bowl in the tank so they can soak for a bit. I also put a brick in the tank to aid in sheedding. There is nothing wrong with going w/ a more natural type set-up, I am j/ lazy I guess. There is a book on garters in captivity that most pet shops carry, just cant recall the author at the moment. Try googling for it. Good luck and happy herpin'

 

[Kevmaster06]

Very helpful! thankyou. I saw that mine has something that looks like tan salt on it and in its water. Should i be conserned? Is this Blister disease?

 

[loxoscelesfear]

look up skin blisters on snakes. what you describe sounds like dirt or something , so no i wouldn't panic. good luck w/ your snakes

 

[Kevmaster06]

i feel stupid!!! It was sand/dirt from the worms i am feeding it!!!!