Need help in setting up!

[Lilo]

Hi everyone, I have 'accuired' a frightened Garter snake that no one else seemed to want!

I think I have the basics covered, but there are a few things i'm confused about...


Which side does the basking light go at? The same side as the heat mat?

Which side does the water dish go at, the hot/cool end?

Do I provide a hide at each end?

Thankyou

[adamanteus]

Hi (again) Heather. Personally. I place the basking area and heat source at the same end, it seems logical. I have the water dish at the cool end. I provide hides all over the place to give my snakes a varied choice. Relax, welcome here, and feel free to ask your questions.
http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets...ake_Care_Sheet

[Lori P]

Heather, I agree with what James does. Give the snake plenty of choices to hide, get warm, cool down...

Do you know what kind of garter it is? We'll be badgering you for pictures soon!! Ok, badgering you now! LOL

[Cazador]

Heather,

How you position your heat source(s) and whether you use both sources or only one depends primarily on the temperature of the enclosure. A good rule of thumb is to have the warm side in the mid 80s (~30C) and the cool side in the mid 70s (~24C). You want to measure the temperature at the snake's level (usually on the floor) since that's the temperature they'll experience. It matters much less what the temperature near the top of the vivarium is, unless you have branches that allow the snake to reach the top. Make sense? Have a great time setting it up, and enjoy your new snake .

Rick

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, Heather

[zooplan]

Hi Heather,
welcome aboard.
Theres nothing more to say than: good Luck

[Lilo]

Thankyou for the help and advice everyone.

A couple more questions - I got a heat mat with her, but it seems on it's way out!

I checked in a shop yesterday for a new one, but noticed 2 types....dessert and humidity ones!
Whats the difference, and which do I get?

Also, how long do garters grow?
She's approx 2 foot long...I'm not sure on her age, I know her last 'owners' had her for around 2 years.

[Cazador]

At two years old, she should be at about her maximum size, though she may grow a little more in her third year. To be absolutely correct, garters continue to grow throughout their lives, but the difference in their length isn't significant after their third year.

To be perfectly honest, I don't know what the differences in the heating mats are. Maybe it's the temperature range? Hopefully somebody else will have the answer? Best,

Rick

[anji1971]

I don't know if there is a vast difference in heat mats, but I've always used the desert type,and they seem to be fine. I think the humidity ones are more for the reptiles who like moisture in the substrate all the time. Snakes prefer to be dry.

[Cazador]

How do the humidity types work? Do you set them in a water bowl or something?