Step into the captivating realm of garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis), the charming colubrid snakes that bring so much joy! With over 30 subspecies to choose from, these snakes are not just pets – they're interactive companions that thrive in communal settings.
Come along with us on a journey exploring the fascinating world of breeding garter snakes, behaviors, pet care, feeding preferences, housing requirements, and the cozy phenomenon of brumation. Let's dive into this exciting adventure together!
Garter Snakes as Pets
Thinking about getting a pet snake? Garter snakes are a fantastic choice! These little buddies are full of energy and can happily live together in groups. There are so many different colors and patterns to pick from, making them extra fun pets to have around. Garter snakes are usually gentle and not likely to nip, which is perfect for those just starting out with snakes. Owning a garter snake brings a whole new level of excitement compared to the more typical constrictor snakes, giving you a unique pet experience to treasure.
Feeding a Garter Snake
In the wild, garter snakes are like adventurous foodies, trying a bit of everything from earthworms to rodents. When they're living the cozy life in captivity, these snakes happily chow down on frozen-thawed mice or rats as their main meals, chicken hearts, silversides etc. Just like us picking the right-sized portion, it's important to match the rodent size to the snake's age and size. Little hatchlings might need their meals chopped up until they're big enough for full pinky mice. As the snake grows, it's like a gourmet experience – the prey size should grow with them.
Baby garter snakes are voracious eaters and should be fed every other day. For the young snakes, it's like having a growth spurt – they can enjoy a meal every 4-5 days to help them flourish. The adults have a more chill dining schedule, eating every 7 days. Now, when the mamas-to-be, the gravid females, are carrying their precious cargo, their appetite gets a boost, so they can savor a meal every couple of days.
Housing
Creating a comfortable home for garter snakes is key, and it's all about making sure they have a fun environment. These snakes love to explore and climb, so adding branches and plants for them to slither around will keep them happy. Garter snakes thrive when they can see everything around them, so a glass enclosure is perfect for giving them a view. Don't forget to give them some light during the day and a cozy heat source for basking, as these activities are some of their favorite ways to spend their time. Let's make their habitat a place they'll love to call home!
Light and Heat
Ensuring your snake's comfort is key, so keep the warm side of their tank cozy around 85°F with an overhead heat lamp and trusty thermostat. These tools are like their own personal climate control, preventing any chance of overheating or burns. On the cooler end, aim for a chillier 75°F to give them options for where they want to hang out. While snakes don't need UV lighting, if you decide to use it, make sure to give them a break at night. It's all about creating a comfy and safe space for your scaly friend to thrive!
Substrate
Picking out the perfect bedding for your garter snake's home is a big deal. You can opt for natural-looking materials such as aspen, cedar bark, or coco soil to create a cozy environment. Be sure to keep an eye on your snake during mealtimes to make sure they don't accidentally swallow any bedding, which could cause tummy troubles. Let's make sure their living space is both comfy and safe for them to enjoy!
Brumation
As the frosty winter sets in, garter snakes cozy up for their version of a nap-time called brumation, similar to hibernating. Their pace slows down, and they become a bit sluggish, staying awake but skipping meals and snuggling into warm burrows to save up their energy. Before lowering the temperatures, it's essential to make sure your snake has fully digested its last meal. We use the rule of stopping all feeds, keeping the snake on heat for two weeks to digest and then one week off heat completely. If they handle this safely then it's time to go into the fridge. The temperature should be lowered to at least 50°F, although this can vary depending on the subspecies.
As we welcome the sunshine of January or February, it signals the end of the cozy brumation period for our snake friends. It's like a little wake-up call as we take them out of their winter chill and allow them to gradually warm back to room temperature. After a few days of this gentle transition, we slowly reintroduce them to their comforting heat source. Once they've settled in and adjusted, we can smoothly transition them back to their regular feeding routine. Let's make their return to activity as smooth and cozy as possible!
Breeding Process
When it comes to breeding garter snakes in captivity, it's like orchestrating a special event that requires careful planning and dedication to ensure the well-being of these amazing creatures. We like to wait until an ovulation shed to start pairing so that we do not exhaust our males to quickly. We initially pair once a week while watching closely on ultrasound to see when an egg becomes fertile. At this time we stop pairing.
Garter snakes display ovoviviparity, where the eggs develop inside the female, and the babies hatch within her before being born live. On ultrasound we have found that you can tell an egg is fertile because you will see amniotic fluid. Later in the coming weeks you can also see spinal columns inside the sac.
After the birthing process, it's time to provide special care for the newborn garter snakes. They should be gently taken out of the female's space and housed together as a group. Since these little ones are initially too small to tackle full-sized meals, they'll need their meals cut up until they grow big enough. As they gradually grow, they can transition to enjoying pinky mice as their main meal option.
In Conclusion
Thank you for joining us on this remarkable journey into the world of garter snakes. We hope you've gained valuable insights into the captivating lives of these charming colubrid snakes. Whether you're considering welcoming a garter snake into your home or simply seeking to expand your knowledge of these delightful creatures, we trust that this adventure has been both informative and engaging.