Reptile & Amphibian Forums

do i need UV lights for my garter? i currently just keep an eye on his thermostat and keep him around 70-84 degrees farenheit by putting a small light over his tank if it gets too cool, i read something on king snakes about how they need UV light, is this the same for garters?

Depends on who you ask. I have a UVB light for mine and many herpers say you should. Not just for the production of D3, but because it apparently can make it more active and easier to feed.
FYI, this is just what I've been told and what I've read, and I know that not all owners agree that it's necessary.

You should also have a basking spot in one end of the tank that's about 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit. They need it to aid with the digestion.

I've kept gartersnakes and watersnakes for many years and I have never used any kind of UV-light for them.
Still they all bred well and stayed healty.

So I personally do not see the benefit, but I cannot say if it would heart your snake.
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Dutch Thamnophis Forum

but some kind of lighting is neccessary? ambient light isnt enough?

Light bulbs provide both heat and light. Ambient lighting is enough if the heat is already right.

In my opinion, the hot end of the cage should be around 86 F and the cool end around 80-82 F. At night the heat can be turned off, and the whole cage cools off to room temperature.

Paul Hollander

so, 74-78 degrees isnt a good temp to keep him at?

Those temps are to low.
I prefer that one place in the terrarium is round 100 degrees F.
or even a bit more. This place has to be completely dry.
Garters need soem temperature to digest their food and so.
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Dutch Thamnophis Forum

The journal papers I've seen say that garters' preferred body temperature is around 86 F. They cool off and drop below that at night in the wild, of course.

Paul Hollander

For the production of D3, not necessary for any snake. Does it have psycological benefit, most likely (diurnal species). It's not uncommon to see increased enthusiasm in garters with UV; but it's not a defined thing.

Ian