i can see snake breathing and breathes are about 1 sec apart

[sycho123321]

Hello on my common garter snake I can see its breaths and The breaths are 1 sec apart is this normal





Thank you
Lukas crockett

[chris-uk]

It can be normal, but compared to the breathing rates I normally see it is rapid. I occasionally see breathing that rapid if one of mine is stressed or has been moving quickly. Coincidentally, I actually counted the breathing rate of my adult radix girl yesterday while she was relaxed and basking, she was about 10 breaths per minute (one every 6-7 secs).
On the other extreme to your rapid breathing I can verify that one of my snakes can hold her breath for at least 12 minutes.

So, I guess the point is that their breathing rate varies considerably. If your garter is breathing that quickly all the time I'd suggest a vet appointment. If it's just for a short time and there's a reason for the rapid breathing I'd be less worried.

Welcome to the forum Luckas

[d_virginiana]

Like Chris said, it can vary so widely, it's better to look into other signs if you're worried. Like whether the snake seems to be stressed or excited, having difficulty breathing, or just generally acting different than normal.

[sycho123321]

Ok thanks for the replays I will count again

[guidofatherof5]

Welcome.

My first thought was a retained shed. Any chance this is occurring? If so, this is a dangerous situation for the snake. Retained sheds are deadly. If there is a chance it is a retained shed here is a video that shows how to use a shed box. Time is a warm shed box will make the skin more flexible and relieve the labored/rapid breathing but only for the time the snake is in there. The shed must be removed immediately.
If this is not the case disregard my knee-jerk reaction.

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/husbandry/11703-retained-shed-indentication-treatment.html

<a href="http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/husbandry/11703-retained-shed-indentication-treatment.html" target="_blank">
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs0Vqm2pP18
(http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/husbandry/11703-retained-shed-indentication-treatment.html)

[sycho123321]

I'm an armature so do I just do that if it it looks like its going to shed

[sycho123321]

Or should I just try it

[guidofatherof5]

When did the snake shed last?

[sycho123321]

It shed last week so I dont think its a retained shed here's a pic of it now

[sycho123321]

Can't get the pic uploaded

[guidofatherof5]

In that case I would say a retained shed isn't probable.
Is this breathing every second constant, all the time? or are there times when it's normal? What about tongue flicking and overall activity?

[guidofatherof5]

Can't get the pic uploaded

If you would like to email me the photo I will post it for you. I'll PM you my email address.

[katach]

My more timid snakes have rapid breathing when I have to handle them. They usually calm down after they realize I'm not going to eat them though. Try to look in on your snake without it noticing you and see if the breathing is still rapid. What are you using for bedding? Make sure it isn't pine, that can cause respiratory problems. I use aspen shavings, but there are lots of other options. Check out the care sheet. It has tons of great, accurate, information.
Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet (http://www.thamnophis.com/index.php?page=caresheet)

[sycho123321]

It is active and flickes its young alot

[sycho123321]

I use needs paper

[sycho123321]

News*

[guidofatherof5]

What kind of heat source are you using? Please read the care sheet that Kat provided a link for.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//821/medium/lukas_snake.jpg

[sycho123321]

I'm using a lamp

[sycho123321]

When it doesn't know I'm there i cant even see it breathing so I think its just timid?

[chris-uk]

When it doesn't know I'm there i cant even see it breathing so I think its just timid?

I'd suggest that it is breathing heavily when it's stressed. How long have you had it? They can take a few weeks to settle into a new home.
Was the photo that Steve posted one that you emailed to him? If so, I'd suggest that it needs more places to hide to make it feel secure. The shoe box is too large as a hide. Looking at the size of snake you need something like a toilet roll tube, or a much smaller box - something that isn't much bigger than the snake itself.

[sycho123321]

Thank you I've had it for a bout 2 days so that's prob the problem I will get mor bidding places and getting a bigger tub for it (I'm getting a 18gal clear tote for it with air holes of course)

[guidofatherof5]

Thank you I've had it for a bout 2 days so that's prob the problem I will get mor bidding places and getting a bigger tub for it (I'm getting a 18gal clear tote for it with air holes of course)

In an earlier post you said it shed last week but in this post you said you've only had it for 2 days. How do you know it shed last week?

[sycho123321]

Oh because the people I got it from told me

[guidofatherof5]

How about some closer photos. I'm guessingThamnophis sirtalis parietalis - Red Sided Garter Snake at this point.
Outside lighting would be good for those photos but be aware the sun can heat a plastic tub up very quickly and with deadly results.
I'm with the member who suggested the breathing might be stress induced.
How long did the other people have the snake?

[sycho123321]

Oh about 5 weeks and I'm not very good at handling but I'll try its not "tame"

[guidofatherof5]

Did they report any problems? What were they feeding it?

[sycho123321]

No and I think night crawlers

[guidofatherof5]

If you are still in contact with them I'd call and ask to be sure. Have you tried to feed it yet?
Was this a wild caught snake or did they purchase it? What part of the country are you in?

By the way feel free to email me any other photos until you get the hang of posting them yourself.

[sycho123321]

I put some cod that was frozen in its container and it hasn't eaten it and I made sure it was thiame free it is wild caugt

[Varanus]

I put some cod that was frozen in its container and it hasn't eaten it and I made sure it was thiame free it is wild caugt
If it was used to nightcrawlers then I would include that and mix in other foods later. I'd also place it in a small plastic container for food (poke a hole for air) and cover it with something. Your snake seems stressed out and being in a small, dark place will make it feel secure. Put something over the container if its not dark enough inside and then leave it alone for a while, then check back to see if it has eaten.

I'm no expert but my two checkered have almost never missed a meal using this method (though one does like to eat less than the other).

On the other hand if you can ask how precisely the previous owners were feeding and copy that then that would be better still. I think its fair to say snakes (like most animals) like to keep to a routine.

Also it was tough for me to find hides small enough to make them feel secure until I figured out they really like just pressing themselves up under semi-flat pieces of wood. Cork flats are sold in soem places and can work for this. They spend their days under there and come out to roam in the evening, night and morning.

[guidofatherof5]

Agreed. Try to feed what it has been fed. You can add additional food for a more varied diet later.

[sycho123321]

Ok

[katach]

Coconut shell halves make a great hide. You can buy one at the grocery store and clean it out yourself or but one at the pet store already halved and cleaned. I like cleaning them myself, yummy! :D

[guidofatherof5]

Coconut shell halves make a great hide. You can buy one at the grocery store and clean it out yourself or but one at the pet store already halved and cleaned. I like cleaning them myself, yummy! :D

It's a lot cheaper to do-it-yourself also.

[katach]

Also egg cartons work well too. Most of my snakes like to burrow so maybe think about getting something they can dig in like aspen shavings or carefresh. You'll want to be sure to monitor the temps and humidity too. I keep my cool side around 75°F and the warm side around 85°F. Humidity between 45% and 55%. Try and keep the light the same as outside too, since it's wild caught it knows it's nights and days better. Some helpful tricks for a less timid snake are to put you hand in the enclosure and just let your snake come to you without picking it up. Also give food after handling, they will associate you with that.

[sycho123321]

Thank you all I will do your ideas

[katach]

You are very welcome. Good luck and keep us posted. Welcome to the forum thamily! Never hesitate to ask a question. Anyone here will always be willing to help.

[sycho123321]

Sorry guys had to let it go :(:(

[guidofatherof5]

Why? Was it a native species to your area? What state are you in?

[katach]

Sorry to hear that. Please stick around though and learn. We have some of the best breeders in the country here on the forum if you ever want to get another. All you have to do is check the classifieds.

[sycho123321]

I live in Boise it is native

[guidofatherof5]

I live in Boise it is native

Good news. Thanks.