Faust: A Cautionary Tale

[Attikus]

I'm posting this as a help for anyone who might due what I did and impulse buy a Garter snake. I miss mine dearly, and he will probably me first and last snake.

I bought Faust from a Reptile Expo on an impulse. I was casually looking at reptiles and only really was interested in Garters - being a devoted owner of rats I couldn't fathom feeding such to a snake. Garters were also smaller and not nearly as imposing as their larger counterparts. Toward the end of the expo I saw two Red Spotted Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis concinnus) for sale. One was slightly larger than the other. I was too excited to remember to ask the important questions. The breeder had no business card or website or any other way of contact as far as I knew. I ended up purchasing the larger of the two snakes (who was bigger than a foot, smaller than 2 feet), and a small carrier. The breeder told me it ate Pinkies, and that was all. This was in May 2015.

Over the next few months I began to set up a new cage for Faust, this Garter Snake. After asking around I decided to not get an aquarium, but rather buy a plastic tub. This tub was 8 gallons, and the heating pad we got was designed for 1-5 gallon tanks. That being said, his temperature was always between 65-70F. Never hotter. He did, indeed, eat Pinkies. He was fed once a week and ate very easily. His bedding ended up being a pillow case so he could bury under it, though he DID have an actual hiding spot, and clean water. We often found him wedged on the shelf of the tub, near the top, just hanging out. He was very docile, never struck and was very explorative. A good snake.

And then, out of the blue in July 2015...he was dead. He was stretched out in his tub, just dead. No punctures, no blood, no squishing. I'm afraid he was too stressed, as I never saw him using his hiding place. Or maybe he didn't get enough air even though the tub had air holes.

I know snakes can be prone to parasites, and though I know he had a few mites, they were never a huge issue. He had a few scales that seemed a bit 'pokey' but I never thought these could be the signs of worms. His breathing sometimes was odd, but never loud, never labored or anything that made me think he was sick.

[AntTheDestroyer]

First I am sorry to hear about your loss. Second there are few things I see in your post that stick out to me as not ideal for keeping a snake. Snakes need a temperature gradient to regulate their body heat with the low side being just 72 degrees F and the high being between around 85 degrees F for garter snakes. I am not sure if you had a gradient, but either way your temps were too low. Mites in any number put a unneeded stress on the animal and should be treated in one way or another. The fact that he had mites probably means your snake was wild caught and more than likely had more parasites than just mites. For a wild caught snake to live a long life it is imperative they under go parasite treatment.

There are many reasons this snake could have passed including congenital problems, parasite, or no ideal housing situations. In the end I think if you did a little more research and bought a captive bred snake from a well known breeder then your experience might be much more positive.

[guidofatherof5]

Sorry to hear about your loss. R.I.P. Faust.
I see a big read flag in the statement "I know he had a few mites, they were never a huge issue" Mites are always a huge issue and don't come in a few. Mites are a death sentence if not controlled. To be honest with you if you saw a few then there was probably hundreds. It's just the nature of the parasite. Their bites take blood but also transfer pathogens to the snake. To an already stressed snake, mites are even worse.
I certainly am not throwing stones here. Most of us at one time or another have lost snakes to our inexperience. I know I'm guilty of that. As suggested, getting a captive bred snake from a reputable dealer(we have great breeders on this page) helps to insure you have a healthy, happy snake.
I hope this isn't your last time keeping a Thamnophis. They are the best kept secret in the snake hobby and for good reason, they are awesome snakes. Let us know what State you are in and maybe we can connect you up with one of our breeders.

[Albert Clark]

I'm posting this as a help for anyone who might due what I did and impulse buy a Garter snake. I miss mine dearly, and he will probably me first and last snake.

I bought Faust from a Reptile Expo on an impulse. I was casually looking at reptiles and only really was interested in Garters - being a devoted owner of rats I couldn't fathom feeding such to a snake. Garters were also smaller and not nearly as imposing as their larger counterparts. Toward the end of the expo I saw two Red Spotted Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis concinnus) for sale. One was slightly larger than the other. I was too excited to remember to ask the important questions. The breeder had no business card or website or any other way of contact as far as I knew. I ended up purchasing the larger of the two snakes (who was bigger than a foot, smaller than 2 feet), and a small carrier. The breeder told me it ate Pinkies, and that was all. This was in May 2015.

Over the next few months I began to set up a new cage for Faust, this Garter Snake. After asking around I decided to not get an aquarium, but rather buy a plastic tub. This tub was 8 gallons, and the heating pad we got was designed for 1-5 gallon tanks. That being said, his temperature was always between 65-70F. Never hotter. He did, indeed, eat Pinkies. He was fed once a week and ate very easily. His bedding ended up being a pillow case so he could bury under it, though he DID have an actual hiding spot, and clean water. We often found him wedged on the shelf of the tub, near the top, just hanging out. He was very docile, never struck and was very explorative. A good snake.

And then, out of the blue in July 2015...he was dead. He was stretched out in his tub, just dead. No punctures, no blood, no squishing. I'm afraid he was too stressed, as I never saw him using his hiding place. Or maybe he didn't get enough air even though the tub had air holes.

I know snakes can be prone to parasites, and though I know he had a few mites, they were never a huge issue. He had a few scales that seemed a bit 'pokey' but I never thought these could be the signs of worms. His breathing sometimes was odd, but never loud, never labored or anything that made me think he was sick.

Wow, so sorry about the loss of your snake. Everything has been said pretty much by Ant and Steve about the possibilities of the snakes death. Temperature and parasite control in wild and captive bred specimens is very important. Thanks for giving a great account of the history and descriptions throughout your story. We are all here to help and always continue to do your research. Don't let a bad, sorrowful experience define your decision to keep garters. You now have a experience that will teach others in the future. Nice to have you on the forum.

[d_virginiana]

In addition to what everyone else has said, if you do decide to get another reptile of any kind, I would recommend joining a forum devoted to that species as soon as you do. I've occasionally had to 'emergency rescue' animals I knew nothing about because they were in live-or-die type situations, and an active forum can bring you up to speed on how to care for an animal in just a couple days.

[Rushthezeppelin]

In addition to what everyone else has said, if you do decide to get another reptile of any kind, I would recommend joining a forum devoted to that species as soon as you do. I've occasionally had to 'emergency rescue' animals I knew nothing about because they were in live-or-die type situations, and an active forum can bring you up to speed on how to care for an animal in just a couple days.

Sage advice. Always best to consult with a forum anyway in addition to multiple caresheets (if available), as tbh not every herps needs are documented science yet and most husbandry is built off experience so you will find some variation in opinions. Also preferable to do it before buying any new herps, of course emergency rescues are certainly an exception (you better be sure you can be prepared to throw down easily hundreds or more overnight if you want to ever try and do rescues of an animal you are unfamiliar with though).

[d_virginiana]

(you better be sure you can be prepared to throw down easily hundreds or more overnight if you want to ever try and do rescues of an animal you are unfamiliar with though).

True, though it's a bit easier to ballpark how much it will cost or what/if vet care will be needed if you're familiar with reptiles. Not to mention the spare equipment and housing you build up over a decade of it.

[Attikus]

Thing is, I did read a care sheet. =/
I also remember reading that mites were unavoidable and not a big deal. Great to know my research lead to killing the poor thing.
I followed this rule, from Gartersnake info: "The ideal temperature for most snakes is in the 25-30°C range (about 75-85°F), but it’s important that the snake have the option of warming up and cooling off when it chooses. You give that to your snake by heating one side of the cage, creating a temperature gradient."

I figured the 5 degree difference wasn't a big enough deal to hurt the snake, especially considering they hibernate. There was a gradient, but as I said, my heating pad was too small (issues that happen when the tub is bought by someone AFTER you buy the heater and you had no input). Due to the fact not everyone in the household was happy with my buying of a snake there is next to no chance of me getting another one. I am in Western PA.

[joeysgreen]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I really wish reptile expo's were more about helping people have a positive pet experience. It does sound like you enjoyed Faust, so when the time is right, revisit this forum for advise on both where to get a happy, healthy snake, and how best to set one up husbandry-wise. They can be long-lived, rewarding pets.