Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Heyas. I’m thinking about getting a garter snake next spring. If not a garter then a corn snake. I’d like to do a nice naturalistic-type set up, complete with stream/waterfall and a pond large enough for an adult snake to swim around in bit. I could do this a few ways I suppose. I’m definitely going to silicon some plexiglas in to separate the land (probably just bed-a-beast) and the water. I’ll cover the glass with either Winterstone sealed with Jasco Cure-Seal, shaped into what I want for the waterfall and pond, or triple-expanding foam that I’ll carve then cover in tile grout. I’ll have a filter for the pond of course, along with some live underwater plants maybe, and live feeder fish as well. I’ll see if I can’t scan in some sketches later. But does it sound good?

Also would a 55 gallon tank be too big? If my aunt has it right now but if she doesn’t use it that’s what I’m going to use. Otherwise it will probably be a 20 gal. long. I’m not going to have anything planted directly in it, probably just a large pothos in a pot. I also have some nice river stones, branches, and even a couple of hides.

Few other things, how long do garters live? I know corn snakes live 15-20 years at least, but I haven’t seen any ages for garters. Also, if I feed my garter on fish, worms, and slugs (are wc slugs okay?) supplemented with vitamins how often should I give it a pinkie... or do I have to all? I can also get captive bred tadpoles and frogs on occasion from the local garden & pond store, or perhaps breed them myself.

Thanks for the help!

Naturalistic is usually a bad idea. When you have a stream and waterfall, etc. then the humidity is going to be extremely high. This will cause blisters from being to damp. Bed a beast offers the same problem. You would have that problem with a corn snake also. Simple is better, especially for garters. They defecate a large amount, so you are going to have problems cleaning the tank often enough. If you really want something that you can set up a naturalistic terrarium for, check into dart frogs. If you still want the snake, then go with aspen and just a large water bowl. That is a better set up really. Good luck.
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Andy Maddox
AIM: thekingofproduct
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Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

"Some things will never change. They just stand there looking backwards. Half-unconsious from the pain. They may seem rearranged. In the backwater swirling. There is something that'll never change-The Meat Puppets"

Your post opened my eyes to something I didnt take into consideration. I am looking into garters.
I was thinking of sterile non chemical non fertilizer soil as substrate. I will ofcourse only use a normal water bowl for food and water and decorate with eaily removable to be cleaned driftwood.
I didnt realize garters defecated that much do you find soil problamatic? I certainly would keep it clean and replace it. Its cheap enough.
I dont like the look of Aspen but will use what is best for the snake .
Thanks.
Fleck

This set up does not sound good for a snake. Too much maintenance and the environment would be to wet and humid even for a Garter. Snakes are best kept in a simple set up with easily changeable substrate, a hide box, and a water bowl. Snakes like to defecate in water for some reason so the bowl must be easy to change. If you want a set up with water and a water fall you might want to research husbandry requirements for tree frogs or something similar, but I strongly recommend against your suggested set up for a snake, any snake.

Randy