Hi all. I have 4 checkered garters I want to setup a somewhat natural environment for. I have been keeping them in the traditional snake setup(rubbermaid shoeboxes) and they hate it! They seem depressed and just miserable. They don't move around, breeding has not happened, and it is like they are just exsisting and not living.

So, Want to change this. I have nice 55gal I can play with. I want to create a habitat that will help these guys thrive, and if they breed so be it. I want real plants, real substrate (will be using something with Eucalyptus to keep mites away) . But what else can I use? The info on these guys is that they come from Arid and Semi-arid areas of Texas but around ponds. So I am thinking dry, hot and humid?

Any Ideas? Anyone have pics of terrariums they have created?

Thanks in advance,

Billie aka Oregonherpaholic