Link to thread about heating temperate reptiles (including garters)

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Naturalistic Vivaria For Snakes (With Fake Rock Walls) - A "How?" and "Why?" Guide - CaptiveBred Reptile Forums, Reptile Classified, Forum (http://www.captivebredreptileforums.co.uk/snakes-general/58525-naturalistic-vivaria-snakes-fake-rock-walls-how-why-guide.html)

[Selkielass]

Excellent thread.
I've been keeping my adult Butlerii in a similar type of set up, with local idopods and millipedes for clean up in the substrateand I've been very pleased with the set up so far. (If Anyone knows good ways to keep isopods out pf the water dish I'd never love to hear it.) Had a european mantis living in the upper part of the terrarium for a few weeks, but it died of old age. Fun to watch the different levels.

My butlers have a wood stump to climb, but I like the look of the climbable background.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

I'm glad my marcianus is still a nipper because it'll give me plenty of time to plan out and make the rock background:).I think it'll be an excellent way of keeping Thamnophis because they can make use of all the extra climbing space and get the benefits of the UV.It'll work out cheaper because I don't have to buy a £50 thermostat,the bulb and fixtures (which is always nice:p)

[CrazyHedgehog]

I have a stack of polystyrene in the shed that I have put aside for my stop motion modelling... but ... soooooooo .... tempted!!

[Invisible Snake]

Excellent thread.
I've been keeping my adult Butlerii in a similar type of set up, with local idopods and millipedes for clean up in the substrateand I've been very pleased with the set up so far. (If Anyone knows good ways to keep isopods out pf the water dish I'd never love to hear it.) Had a european mantis living in the upper part of the terrarium for a few weeks, but it died of old age. Fun to watch the different levels.

Can you post some pictures of this particular terrarium please :)

[Selkielass]

I've been trying to figure out a good way to do this. My cameras aren't good and my internet access is very limited.
The 'live' substrate is amazing (Mix of eco-earth, plain potting soil, and compost, leaf litter and partially decayed bark from my own yard, full of isopods, springtails and other beneficial creepies.
Two adult (20 inch )a T. Butlerii. And, even just before spot cleaning, IT DOESN'T SMELL!!!

Well, it smells like a forest floor, but to me that's a plus.

I'm watching like a hawk for skin problems, but so far so good.