Can you keep a eastern garter snake?
Can you keep a eastern garter snake?
While garter snakes are abundant in the wild, especially around bodies of water, such as lakes and streams, in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and Central America, these wild animals should not be kept as pets, as they are illegal to take from their natural habitats in most locales.
How do you take care of a eastern garter snake?
Things to remember when feeding your garter or water snake:
- Feed juveniles every other day, adults once a week.
- Place comet goldfish in snake’s water bowl for feeding.
- Fresh, clean, chlorine-free water should be available at all times in a bowl large enough for your snake to soak in.
What does a garter snake need in its cage?
In general, a garter snake needs a cage that is clean, dry and escape-proof, has the right furniture, and is the right size. Here’s how to give it to your snake.
Do garter snakes need a heat mat?
Garter snakes need a basking area between 90-95 degrees for proper digestion. Heat can be provided by either a basking lamp, heat tape (or Zilla Heat Mat) under the tank or both. A reptile water dish large enough for the snake to submerge in will provide plenty of humidity.
Do garter snakes like to be held?
Many garter snakes, particularly if they are captive bred, are gentle and do not mind being handled, and handling them is simply a matter of picking them up and letting them explore your hands. If you have experience handling other snakes, it’s important to remember that garter snakes are not constrictors.
Do garter snakes need heat at night?
Garter snakes should have a basking surface temperature of 90-95°F. On the other side of the enclosure, the temperature should be between 72-82°F. Use at least two digital probe thermometers to track your temperature gradient. Heating should be turned off at night.
Do garter snakes drink water?
Garter snakes need a water dish to both drink water from and to soak in. Pick a bowl that is large and shallow. Make sure that the water dish in the enclosure is always filled with enough fresh water for the snake to soak. Change the water every day.
Do garter snake bites hurt?
Does a garter snake bite hurt? Like any animal’s bite, the garter snakes’ bite will hurt, but it is unlikely to cause serious issues, or even death.
Do garter snakes carry diseases?
Abstract. Garter snakes that are used for scientific laboratory studies or kept as exotic pets often become ill and die early in captivity. They may also act as reservoirs of potential human pathogens or transmit infection to man.
Can garter snake swim?
The common garter snake is most often found around aquatic habitats, such as ponds, freshwater wetlands and riparian areas. If threatened, they will often flee into the water where they are excellent swimmers.
How do you take care of a garter snake?
Get a water bowl. It should be plastic, and big enough for the snake to bathe in. Don’t make it too big, just large enough for the snake to fit inside, as they enjoy swimming, and hunt their prey this way. One of the most common mistakes with garter snakes is that they are semi aquatic.
How to take care of a garter snake?
Food variety – garter snakes enjoy variety,so don’t feed them the same food all the time.
Can you keep a garter snake as a pet?
Garter snakes as pets shouldn’t be kept on a premanently damp substrate as this can cause serious skin problems and risk of infection from fungus and bacteria. However, due to their semi-aquatic nature in the wild, it is really important to provide them with a large body of water – a huge water bowl or even something like a washing-up bowl of water.
Do garter snakes make good pets?
Garter Snake. Garter Snakes are one of the most common snakes in the U.S. and are often kept as pets. Though they are typically inexpensive ad hardy, Garters can have the tendency to musk more often than most pet snakes. They also tend to do better on a diet of fish, which may make feeding a bit more problematic.
