Garters and their love of water.

[Ruth]

I'm going to risk sounding like a total idiot

My obscurus garter loves being in her water pot. I have a tub with lid and a side hole entrance with maybe a cm and a half of water in and she spends a lot of time in it. The very recently acquired Florida blue also spends a lot of time more than the obscurus at the moment in her water tub. So my question is should more provision be given to their love of water by providing a larger water area or even a mini filtered section ? Is it a good idea or does it make the terrarium too humid (this is why I provide pots with lids) ? Is it possible when setting up a naturalistic enclosure to make it part aquatic and still be able to keep it clean ?

In my head I can envisage a lovely large terrarium housing a group of five or so garters with lots of plants and a mini pond. I'm wondering if this is a possibility or just a mad dream.

[d_virginiana]

I've always been under the impression that the more water the better. Mine love theirs too.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

I've always been under the impression that the more water the better.

These N.tessellata probably agree with that statement

[Ruth]

These N.tessellata probably agree with that statement

Wow now I'm really wanting to give it a go. I will have to get a pencil a paper and put down some ideas and pick all your brains

[-MARWOLAETH-]

It would have to be huge and with good ventilation otherwise skin problems may develop.
Also bare in mind that five snakes will quickly turn the water it into a cesspit.

With the help of water plants,snails,frequent water changes and a good filter you could deal with the waist of one or two snakes.

This type of set-up may be better suited to Nerodia,Natrix, tropical water snakes (Liophis,Xenochrophis ect), semi aquatic 'phibs and Lizards.

Good luck with your project!

[Ruth]

It would have to be huge and with good ventilation otherwise skin problems may develop.
Also bare in mind that five snakes will quickly turn the water it into a cesspit.

With the help of water plants,snails,frequent water changes and a good filter you could deal with the waist of one or two snakes.

This type of set-up may be better suited to Nerodia,Natrix, tropical water snakes (Liophis,Xenochrophis ect), semi aquatic 'phibs and Lizards.

Good luck with your project!

It's not a project just a dream Though if I happen to have snakes that I think would thrive in that sort of environment I may be brave enough to try it one day.

[Ruth]

Thanks all. I don't have a problem with having a set up that is reasonably high maintenance if it works and does the snake good. Obviously as well as having a filter for the water you would need to be able to drain it frequently, I would think that could be reasonably easy to achieve with an external filter and a well placed drain hole. My main concern is still whether I would be able to keep plants alive in a naturalistic terrarium. I don't ever plan on having a huge number of snakes so I would have room for some good sized enclosures. Although this is just a dream at the moment I think after I've done a lot of research I'm not going to be able to resist trying it.

If a group of five snakes is too many how big an enclosure can be given to a pair ? Can you actually go as large as you want as long as there is plenty of cover and area's of basking ? I can't help but think you should be able to give them a lot of room as long as there isn't a wide open space for them to feel threatened.

[BUSHSNAKE]

they may be in their water to keep hydrated, garters snakes are water snakes and they dehydrate when humiidity levels are low

[Selkielass]

My self caught garters are all from wet meadows and ditches.
They spend quite a lot of time in their water dishes or damp hides (plastic box filled w sphagnum moss.)
I am coming to believe that the smaller snakes need a damp, high humidity area as well as dry warm and cool areas.
I believe larger snakes tolerate low humidity, but all would be happier with a higher humidity than found in an average home.

[chris-uk]

Mexican species are supposed to be better suited to aquatic setups according to Steve Bol. However, I think he tried it for a while and now only rolls out his aquatic habitat for shows - Greg may know more, I think it was him that mentioned a conversation with Steve back in September.
It's possible to keep the water clean using aquarium filters, but that sort of setup must be a real PITA for no significant benefits.

If space and expense were no object I'd definitely do it, but on a room size scale.