Probably worrying too much, but...

[EasternBlackNeckedGarter]

Mort, my garter, hasn't ever been tamed- he's very skittish and won't let you touch him. Recently, he's only been inside his cave (as far as I can tell, I only check on him once daily) and hasn't moved much. I got him to stir when I touched him, but he didn't come bolting out like I'd expect him to. His last meal was two fuzzies, 4-6 days ago. He didn't eat the two I put in last night. Could he just still be digesting the original mice, or could something be wrong with his terrarium? He has a 2' by 4' by 2' glass tank with a lid made of chicken wire (no sharp edges exposed), several fake plants, two caves, one under an inch of bedding (I use about 4 inches of a paper based substrate) no heat pad or lamp, a branch, and a porcelain water bowl. Note, I live in Texas and its been in the triple digits for maybe 10 days straight now.

[infernalis]

it's likely that it's coming up on shedding time, and they are extra seclusive during this period.

[guidofatherof5]

Some heat(under tank heater - UTH) will probably aid in some activity and digestion.
What is the ambient temp. of the room the snake is in?

I don't know what size your snake is but I see a huge/dangerous problem with a chicken wire top with duct tape. There is usually an inside lip to most aquariums and a lid(wood, or screen frame)can be easily cut. The center of the wood can be cut out and a window screen material can be put on to cover it. Duct tape is also a no-no.
The top of your enclosure isn't secure right now.

Be sure to introduce yourself in the "Welcome Lounge" so we can give you a proper welcome.
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[EasternBlackNeckedGarter]

Infernalis: Thanks- he's done that before.

Guido: The temperature in my house is normally set from 74-77 degrees Fahrenheit, but the room Mort's in is the warmest, in the low eighties most of the time. Also, the chicken wire is secured on all sides (and the middle) by six heavy books which I took off for the picture. He's also in a room that's always closed off to my cats and dog. The duct tape doesn't have any sticky surfaces exposed to the air, is it still a problem? Oh, and Mort is full grown, maybe 3 1/2 feet.

Thanks for the advice.

[EasternBlackNeckedGarter]

Some heat(under tank heater - UTH) will probably aid in some activity and digestion.
If the room is in the eighties, what size/temp heat pad should I get? (Note, his main cave has no substrate underneath, just glass.

[guidofatherof5]

I think if you get some substrate under the hide area a small ZooMed heat pad should work well.
Please be sure to address the lid issue.
Amazon.com: Zoo Med ReptiTherm® Under Tank Heater, Small: Pet Supplies (http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiTherm%C2%AE-Under-Heater/dp/B0002AQCKA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375494346&sr=8-1&keywords=zoomed+heat+pad)

[jwolfe152]

something i just got for making screened lids is aluminum screen. its the stuff they use for screen doors they sell it in bright aluminum, charcoal aluminum,and in black fiberglass. its has very small holes and should be less than $10 for a roll and would do several 20g tanks, it should be available at just about any hardware store.

[guidofatherof5]

Infernalis: Thanks- he's done that before.

Guido: The temperature in my house is normally set from 74-77 degrees Fahrenheit, but the room Mort's in is the warmest, in the low eighties most of the time. Also, the chicken wire is secured on all sides (and the middle) by six heavy books which I took off for the picture. He's also in a room that's always closed off to my cats and dog. The duct tape doesn't have any sticky surfaces exposed to the air, is it still a problem? Oh, and Mort is full grown, maybe 3 1/2 feet.

Thanks for the advice.

I would say yes. I would never use that size wire for any snake. Your snake can easily reach the top and cause damage to its face. Snakes have the ability to fit their heads into rather small areas and this top in a dangerous situation.

[EasternBlackNeckedGarter]

Thanks guys, I'll try to find some aluminum screen for him. I may have an old heat pad attached to that tank already- had a beardie in there when I was little.

[guidofatherof5]

Plug the old pad in and let it heat up before you try to remove it. Be sure to buy fabric screen material and ditch the use of duct tape and you'll be got-to-go.

[Mommy2many]

"The duct tape doesn't have any sticky surfaces exposed to the air, is it still a problem? Oh, and Mort is full grown, maybe 3 1/2 feet."


Doesn't include duct tape but does have small spaces. Look at this thread:
It was my Florida Blue Garter, Jesse, who is around the size of your snake...this is what can happen

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/general-talk/10740-another-epic-fail.html

[EasternBlackNeckedGarter]

Well, he doesn't have anything like that in his cage, but I'll change the lid as soon as possible. :P

[jwolfe152]

oh and also if you have any wood at least as long as your longest side of the tank like a 2x6 or 2x8 you can just "rip" the board into about 1inch sections the length you need and nail them to make the lid and a staple gun to attach the screen material. if you do it like this leave an inch or 2 of extra screen material to roll up where you attach it so that there is less chance of the screen material ripping where it was stapled.

[EasternGirl]

Does he have a water dish that is big enough for him to soak in? The heat and humidity could be bugging him a bit. I know my garters get a bit bothered when it is really hot and humid here...it is important to have a large water dish that he can soak in if he becomes hot. Also, I have noticed that some of my garters do go into their hides and lay around for a few days after a big meal. Some garters do not like the heat more than others. Some of mine basically just lie around on the cool side of the tank when it's really hot. Is he pooping and flicking his tongue?

[EasternBlackNeckedGarter]

His water dish is about 2 inches deep and 6 inches wide, and it usually only gets hot around here, not humid. He's certainly pooping, that's for sure. And yes, he flicks his tounge whenever I see him.

Edit: He's out and about now. No sign of a skin, but I couldn't see his eyes to check their color. He is looking pretty dull, and I think he's overdue to shed.

[guidofatherof5]

Here's a thread to help you identify a retained shed if it comes to that.

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

[EasternBlackNeckedGarter]

Right... I've heard about that but I certainly hope that's not it... I'll see about getting a shed box.

[EasternGirl]

Retained sheds are certainly something you want to deal with...and they can be difficult, but it is doable to remove them. Keep us posted on his behavior.

[EasternBlackNeckedGarter]

Mort has successfully shed and is now approximately 34 inches long. :D

Also, his head is approximately the width of a quarter (I've attached a picture of the mesh and a quarter) is the lid still a problem? The tape is gone and the sides have been weighted.

[guidofatherof5]

I have to say YES. I'm certainly not trying to cause you trouble but I'm sure Mort could get his snout and part of his head into something that size. Please get rid of this before you wish you had. Send me the dimensions of the inside lip of the aquarium and I'll cut you a frame out of screen making aluminum. I'll also send with it the screen material. All you will have to do is take it somewhere to get the screen material installed. It must be installed loosely or it will twist the frame and the finished lid will not sit flush on the inside lip.
If this is something you want me to do simply get the measurements(tight measurement) I'll take a 1/16th off those measurements so it's not too tight. PM me the info. and your name and address and I'll get it out to you ASAP.

[chris-uk]

Steve's right. They can get their heads into gaps you wouldn't have thought possible. Best case is it squeezes all the way out, worst it gets stuck part way through and breaks its neck. :(

[jwolfe152]

this is the size screen i use and probably close to what steve has
http://i1314.photobucket.com/albums/t579/jwolfe152/Snapbucket/CEAF1632-orig_zps5ddf963f.jpg (http://s1314.photobucket.com/user/jwolfe152/media/Snapbucket/CEAF1632-orig_zps5ddf963f.jpg.html)

[guidofatherof5]

this is the size screen i use and probably close to what steve has
http://i1314.photobucket.com/albums/t579/jwolfe152/Snapbucket/CEAF1632-orig_zps5ddf963f.jpg (http://s1314.photobucket.com/user/jwolfe152/media/Snapbucket/CEAF1632-orig_zps5ddf963f.jpg.html)

Yes it is but I use a fabric mesh rather then a metal one.

[EasternGirl]

Yep...I agree...you don't want to take any chances with that screen...too many risks. I am glad to hear that Mort shed...does he seem to be back to normal now?

[EasternBlackNeckedGarter]

Yes, he does. I'll see about the lid, but until then, he's doing fine.

Edit: What're your opinions on my bedding? I used to use that soft AstroTurf stuff (forgive me for not knowing the name), but I switched to a few inches of Carefresh Natural bedding, because it's easier to clean and I feel like it has a more natural feel. It can be compacted to be firm, and the only nuisance is when it gets in the water dish.

[EasternGirl]

Carefresh is great as long as you don't feed the snakes on it. You really shouldn't feed on any substrate, in my opinion. My only issue with the carefresh natural is that they recently changed it...something in it now has an odd smell which I don't trust. Whatever it is...mushrooms grow in it in my guinea pig cage when it gets dirty...which is really freaky. For my garters, I use the colored carefresh...it's a little more expensive, but it doesn't have a weird smell and it seems to have less dust.

[EasternBlackNeckedGarter]

I'm using an older bag, I think. A few months at least. (Leftover from my rats.) He was eating minnows for a good while (Yes, bad choice, I know.), so he was used to eating out of a water dish. We went through four or five mice before we realized he wouldn't eat them, so he eats them out of the water. I'll try buying colored Carefresh when I replace the litter.

Anyways, he ate two fuzzies last night, so I think he's fine. Tongue's flicking, skin's shiny, no wrinkles...

[EasternGirl]

That is good to hear. My Sadie likes to eat out of the water dish if I feed her in her enclosure. She also goes diving for invisible food in the water after I put her back in the tank after a feeding...it's funny to watch. I just bought a bag of colored carefresh last night...it was $24 for the big bag...not cheap when I have to change Guinea Pig bedding every week or two.

[Mommy2many]

He is very pretty!