Garter Behavior

[Lumpy]

Since the world of Garters is new to me, as are snakes in general, I have a few questions about their behavior.

Since this is day 2 of my adventure with a WC Garter, I'm pleased that she ate 2 nightcrawlers. I've heard with some snakes, they tend to be irritable after eating, is this true with Garters?

I'm sure it's been a whirlwind trip for her, being handled by a strange person and ending up in an unfamiliar environment. This evening she's much more subdued and appears to be sleeping (eyelids partially closed), so I imagine she's full and tired. What are their sleep paterns?

Last night she was lunging through the glass at my wife! So I assume she was a bit miffed and or hungry.

She's a hoot tho!

Lump

[Stefan-A]

Garters don't have eyelids, Lumpy. But they can definitely be in feeding mode for a while after eating and strike more readily.

It would sort of make sense for them to be more defensive as well, considering that their mobility isn't at its best after a meal.

[adamanteus]

I've never noticed my Garters being irritable after they've eaten, if anything they're more relaxed and 'laid back'. It's not a good time to be handling them though, you wouldn't want to stress him and make him regurgitate his meal.
Not sure about 'sleep patterns', Greg. I don't think they sleep in the same way as we do. When they are hidden and inactive, that is maybe their version of sleep.
They partially closed eye lid thing..... I think you're seeing what you expect to see there.... Snakes don't have moveable eyelids as mammals (and stuff) do. There eyelids are fused together and permanently shut... but they are totally transparent. So in fact a snakes eyes are always shut!

[Lumpy]

Hmm, maybe it was my tired eyes, almost looked like her eyes were partially closed. My bad.

Thanks tho!

Lump

[Stefan-A]

There eyelids are fused together and permanently shut...

It's hardly a lid then, is it?

[adamanteus]

It's hardly a lid then, is it?

That's exactly what it is. This is why you get the brille or spectacle when they slough... it's the skin of the eyelid, not the eye itself.

[Lumpy]

How about proper lighting? What's the best way to go?

Lump

[Stefan-A]

That's exactly what it is. This is why you get the brille or spectacle when they slough... it's the skin of the eyelid, not the eye itself.

Joke misfire. The point was that a lid can, by definition, be opened. Or closed.

[adamanteus]

There are several schools of thought on lighting for captive Garters. Some advocate broad-spectrum lighting, including UV, as you would use for diurnal lizards. Some think supplementary lighting of any kind is unnecessary. Personally I think any lighting of sufficient intensity to provide a distinct photo-period (daytime/nighttime) is good. As long as the lights don't raise the viv temperatures too much.

[adamanteus]

Joke misfire. The point was that a lid can, by definition, be opened. Or closed.

Sorry, Stefan... I missed the point (again!)
Obviously, if you think a lid, by definition, can be opened, you've never eaten tinned sardines... which must remain in the tin until the end of days.