Garter snakes are the most common snake in North America.They make popular pets that become docile through constant handling.They are Thamnophis.These are mildly venomous snakes.Do not worry.This has only recently discovered because frogs showed poisoning.They are the ultimate first time reptiles.They are however,somewhat nippy.

  Ideally these beautiful snakes should be fed on supplemented mice of the proper size.Do not feed insects like the lady at the pet shop did.This is not natural or healthy.They should be fed on frozen food to kill all parasites such as worms.A good diet of worms,fish,tadpoles,leeches,and mice,if possible.Do not give goldfish excessively as they contain thiaminase,an enzyme that destroys vitaminB.With a good diet,they will live the natural age of 5 to 10 years old.

The cage should be a twenty gallon long tank.You may use aspen bedding,bark chips,or paper as substrate.Use a large bowl the garter can fully soak and drink in.use either live or artificial potted plants for climbing.Give places to hide in,such as rocks,hollow logs,etc.The temperature should be 75 degrees to 85 degrees.The humidity needs to be controlled by light,daily misting.

Garters are always thought of as extremely small snakes.They are not.They can be 3 to 6 feet.They are however,extremely slender and fragile.So they are small,but not petite.They are not as baby-small as as everyone thinks.

  Breeding these garters is one of the easiest thing to do.Fatten the snakes a bit(not too much though)to prepare for brumation.Then wait until brumation is over and mate the healthiest snakes only.You may want to wait to get the female fatter again.After copulating,seperate them.When the female gives birth to live young,coax them into a separate temporary home.Do not even dare handle them.You may squish their fragile ribs.Wait at least a week before you touch them and wait until the first shed(actually second,the first one occurs right after birth)to hold them.Do not feed them until the first shed.

  They may be bad tempered for about a month,but with the constant handling,they will tame down quite a bit.They will fight to be free of your clutch and are very active and curious,searching every nook and cranny.

If you ever decide to buy from Petco because it is cheap,you are taking a huge gamble.Most are wild-caught despite the signs stating all snakes are captive bred.This is wrong.The worst part is you may be buying a keelback often called the Indonesian garter snakes.They are similar animals,but have different requirements.Petco is notorious for selling them.The poor keelbacks are crudely caught and shipped half way around the world.Then they are fed crickets.They are too stressed to live over 3 months.This has happened to me.Just be sure it does not have a striped belly or else it may be Xenochropis vittatus,the striped keelback.RIP Lily the Keelback Snake.Help Draco your Garter Snake companion out of his sickness.