I think I'm gunna get a Garter, need info please!

[babyelvissocute]

I finally convinced my mom to let me get a Garter snake...
I did some research, and most of the care sheets online said they could live on feeder fish and earthworms, and they dont need mice. Is that right? Because the only reason why I'm actually getting a snake is because you dont have to give them mice.
If I dont give the snake mice, what kind of diet should I give it?
And most said an adult could be fine in a 20 gallon tank with a locking lid, is that right? I thought they would need more room? And nothing really said anything about UVB, just that the tank should be about 80 F degrees. So this is my shopping list:
Feeders-earthworms (that I will cut) and feeder fish, small and live
20 gallon tank with a locking screen
clamp light, 60 watt regular house light
Aspen bedding
log, moss, small water bowl, feeding bowl, fake plants
UVB (if needed)
Does that sound just about right??
This will be my first pet snake!!

thanks,
Kaitlyn, Elvis, Leroy

 

[Unique]

Bumping it before it gets locked.

 

[herpfreak]

I finally convinced my mom to let me get a Garter snake...
I did some research, and most of the care sheets online said they could live on feeder fish and earthworms, and they dont need mice. Is that right? Because the only reason why I'm actually getting a snake is because you dont have to give them mice.
If I dont give the snake mice, what kind of diet should I give it?
And most said an adult could be fine in a 20 gallon tank with a locking lid, is that right? I thought they would need more room? And nothing really said anything about UVB, just that the tank should be about 80 F degrees. So this is my shopping list:
Feeders-earthworms (that I will cut) and feeder fish, small and live
20 gallon tank with a locking screen
clamp light, 60 watt regular house light
Aspen bedding
log, moss, small water bowl, feeding bowl, fake plants
UVB (if needed)
Does that sound just about right??
This will be my first pet snake!!

thanks,
Kaitlyn, Elvis, Leroy

Sorry, I've only owned boids, but I've read a bit on garters and other colubrids; I'll try to help you as best I can.

Primarily, garters eat fish such as minnows, although, like beardies, garters need a varied diet. Earthworms, waxworms, grubs, and some kinds of leeches are also great. No mice.

I think a 20gal is fine for an adult garter. Housing a snake is much different than housing a beardie; while beardies love extra room, snakes - especially babies - housed in a too-large enclosure will stress and refuse food.

Most snakes are nocturnal, meaning they don't need UV.

Personally, I prefer using UTH (under tank heaters; heat pads, heat tape, etc.) for snakes. They do not require light, although if light is used it should be on 12 hours / off 12 hours. But it's up to you; as long as you get correct temps, you're fine. (If you do use a UTH, use a dimmer / rheostat or a thermostat. They can be unstable.)

Snakes, like beardies, need correct temps to digest, but can be easily burned if temps are too high. It is best to have a temp gradient; a cool side of 75*, a warm side of 80*.

The only other things you will need are hide boxes. These are very important; your snake will spend 90% of its time in hiding. If you are going for a naturalistic enclosure, there are rock hides commercially available, but you can also use cardboard boxes. [The half-log hides do not provide sufficient cover, do not use these.] Put one hide on the warm side, one on the cool side, so that your snake does not have to choose between desired temperature and security.



If you have any other questions, ask away, and I will try my best to answer.

Have fun with your first snake!! I want to see pics when you get him/her.

 

[herpfreak]

Sorry, I've only owned boids, but I've read a bit on garters and other colubrids; I'll try to help you as best I can.

Primarily, garters eat fish such as minnows, although, like beardies, garters need a varied diet. Earthworms, waxworms, grubs, and some kinds of leeches are also great. No mice.

I think a 20gal is fine for an adult garter. Housing a snake is much different than housing a beardie; while beardies love extra room, snakes - especially babies - housed in a too-large enclosure will stress and refuse food.

Most snakes are nocturnal, meaning they don't need UV.

Personally, I prefer using UTH (under tank heaters; heat pads, heat tape, etc.) for snakes. They do not require light, although if light is used it should be on 12 hours / off 12 hours. But it's up to you; as long as you get correct temps, you're fine. (If you do use a UTH, use a dimmer / rheostat or a thermostat. They can be unstable.)

Snakes, like beardies, need correct temps to digest, but can be easily burned if temps are too high. It is best to have a temp gradient; a cool side of 75*, a warm side of 80*.

The only other things you will need are hide boxes. These are very important; your snake will spend 90% of its time in hiding. If you are going for a naturalistic enclosure, there are rock hides commercially available, but you can also use cardboard boxes. [The half-log hides do not provide sufficient cover, do not use these.] Put one hide on the warm side, one on the cool side, so that your snake does not have to choose between desired temperature and security.



If you have any other questions, ask away, and I will try my best to answer.

Have fun with your first snake!! I want to see pics when you get him/her.

 

[babyelvissocute]

Thanks! I dont know exactly when I am going to get him/her, but sometime soon, because we just moved and my mom wants to get situated first. I went to the pet store yesterday to get Elvis some wax worms, because I think he needs a treat after all the moving around we've been doing. Then I saw the Garters, and I asked to hold one (I've NEVER held a snake before) I was a little scared at first, but the little guy seemed to like me and I ended up holding him and asking soebody who works there about Garters (he actually seemed like he knew some things) but then I had to put the little guy back. But so far, I got a 20 gal tank, so I just need to buy the stuff for the tank then the snake.

~Kaitlyn, Elvis, and Leroy~

 

[herpfreak]

Oooo, how exciting! Snakes are a lot of fun! So beautiful, so fascinating, fun to hold, and (the best part, imo) they're SUPER easy to care for. With a bit of extra work before leaving, I've gone on week-long camping trips and the snakes have been fine.

I do recommend buying from a breeder instead of the pet store; as with beardies, you don't know about their backgrounds, you don't know how well they've been cared for, etc. Plus, pet stores overprice everything.

Keep me posted!


Maya

 

[JKTerrell]

Hi I have 10 garters at the moment my female had 9 baby's 2 weeks ago and i tried to get them to eat pinky parts, small earth worms, and wax worms with no luck at all even the mother would not even look at them but i found some extremely small rosy red minnows ( fry's ) for the baby's and they devoured them! i keep the mother in a 20 g tank with an UTH and a clamp lamp with a regular bulb and just change the wattage of the bulb when i need to adjust the temps. Good luck with your new snake

 

[babyelvissocute]

Well, I'm not gunna get a garter.
I'm getting a dwarf rabbit instead!
My best friend Brooke has a one year old dwarf bunny, named Cody, and she's allergic to him, so Im taking him. I wanted to get both, but my dad said I have enough animals for now. Oh well, Im sure I can get the garter eventually, because its an outdoor/indoor bunny and I already have an extra 20 gallon tank upstairs. Anyone out there have had a bunny? Ive never had a pet one before

Sincerly,
Kaitlyn, Elvis, Leroy, and Cody

 

[herpfreak]

Ooh, congrats! I kept mini lops for a few years, and my violin teacher has a dwarf rabbit. Bunnies are great!! Just make sure you handle regularly, get the nails trimmed (very similar to beardie nail-clipping; clip above the quick and they start bleeding; I found it much easier to take my bunnies to the vet to get them trimmed) every month or so.

I'd love to see pics when you get him!

enough animals for now

Oh, I get that ALL the time! :lol:

 

[babyelvissocute]

hehe he is sooo cute

 

[herpfreak]

He's absolutely adorable!!! :love5: I love the eye patch!