Care Sheet for Garter Snakes and Ribbon SnakesAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 3.50 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 02/10/2007 |
Main Category: | Snakes |
Sub Category: | Garter Snakes and Ribbon Snakes |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Herpnut |
Years Experience: | 3 to 5 Years |
Species: | Ribbon Snakes |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | This care sheet will cover all of the Garter and Ribbon snake species. |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Males tails will taper less rapidly than the female’s and will be almost one third of his body length.
Female’s tails are shorter and taper more rapidly.
The only sure way to tell what sex your snake is,is to probe it.This can be done at almost any reptile vet. |
Mostly Active During: | Day |
Substrate and Water Needs: | There are a lot of good and bad substrates to use in the world of herp keeping.Some good substrates for Ribbon and Garter snakes are repti-bark,repti-carpet,astroturf,paper towels and news paper.When I can get my hands on it I use astroturf because in my opinion it looks good,But if you cant afford or cant find the astroturf then you have all the other options above for substrate.If you use paper towel or news paper make sure you use at least 2 layers.Garter and Ribbon snakes are very aquatic in the wild.You will need a water bowl big enough that your snake can soak in.The water bowl should be around 4 in. by 6 in. for a 18 to 25 inch Garter or Ribbon snake. |
Lighting and UVB: | As for lighting,you don’t need any special UV like you would for most lizards.Just a 12 hour day-night cycle provided by an ordinary house bulb should be all you need. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | Garter and Ribbon snakes are comfortable with a temperature gradient between 73F and 85F.These temperatures can be achieved with an under tank heater and about a 40 watt heat light.(You might have to test out what wattage light you need for heating)As for humidity,just lightly mist the cage(NOT SOAK IT) every other day. |
Heating and Equipment: | You will need an under tank heater with a rheostat or thermostat, a thermometer, and heat light with the fixture to hold it. The thermometer should be at ground level on the side of the cage in which you placed the heat mat and light. |
Caging Provided: | A 15 gallon cage is all you should need for a Ribbon snake because they are relatively smaller then the garters which will need a 20 gal long tank.Make sure you have a tight fitting screen top so your pet doesn’t escape.Also provide at least 2 appropriately sized hide boxes or logs in your snakes "house".If the hide box is to small your snake will refuse it and get stressed out because he/she has no place to hide.To tell if you have the right sized hide box is that when your snake is in it he/she is touching the sides and back of it.You can also throw in a couple of fake plants that your snake can hide in.Your snake will LOVE a branch or 2 to climb on.If you collect them from out side bake them in the oven for a couple of minutes to kill the bugs and parasites. |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
Description of Diet: | In the wild Garter ind Ribbon snakes are eating a lot of minnows tadpoles and frogs.It’s pretty hard to provide that much of a variety in captivity so Rosie red minnows with an occasional sprinkle of vit. powder should be fine. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | As discussed above just a sprinkle of vit. powder. |
Maintenance: | I clean the cage out every Saturday,so a weekly cleaning is OK. |
Some Words on this Species: | Ribbon and Garter snakes are a very active species and you will never get tired of them.Good luck with your new friend or friend to be!!!!!!! |
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