Reptile & Amphibian Forums

HI. I was just thinking a little about maybe getting a garter snake. My question is this... what is a good, natural looking sbstrate that works well with garters? Could i use terrarium lining from four paws? i wont be getting one any time soon, but i thought i'd plan now. If you could list all substrates you have/ could use i would love to hear it. Thanks!
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Paullywog

If it has scales or smooth wet skin... snatch it!!!

It's not terribly natural-looking, but a LOT better looking (and better functioning) than that astro-turf junk. The snake can burrow in it, it's absorbent, and looks decent.
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

In addition to the carefresh product the other response mentions I use aspen shavings. Both products work well but I tend to lean towards the aspen. If it is shredded fine enough it makes a good substrate and it is less expensive than carefresh. Make sure it is aspen and NOT the cedar or pine. I have a Ribbon Snake on bark but i do not find it to be as practical as the others.

Randy
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Firehouse Herps

Important considerations for substrate are that the snake can't ingest it stuck to their food, and that it stay dry so the snakes don't get blister disease. My setup for garters is a 10 or 20 gallon aquarium, paper towel on the bottom, a brick at one end, a water dish at the other end, bark or bent cardboard in the middle for a hide, and a big leafy plastic aquarium plant draped across it all. I put a light bulb outside the tank on the side near the brick so the temp varies from 85 on the brick to 75 near the water dish. Its not really 'natural' looking, but it can be pretty, and everything can easily be cleaned/sanitized or thrown out.