Hi! From Ontario, Canada!

[strangeseraph]

Hi everyone! My name is Jenny and I'm interested in snakes. In fact I really want a pet snake. I've watched all sorts of videos about snakes from the large ones to the tiny ones and what is really keeping me from potentially getting a snake is my squeamishness about dead mice, lack of space and money.

I do think a Garter snake, from the research I've done, might help in that area. I'm not squeamish about worms, in fact I live near one of the biggest wholesale suppliers of nightcrawlers in Ontario. Collected from pesticide free organic farms he assured me. And I'm no stranger to feeding fish, with how many I've owned, so I can handle those. The space requirements seem idea for my small apartment and...well they're just cute little guys aren't they! (I've also considered a hognose snake, but I've read they can smell pretty bad and I have cats AND neighbors to be concerned with. o-o)

So, what do you think? Am I the right candidate for a garter? What are all the costs involved?

Thanks for all your help, hope this forum can help me continue the research I need.

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard.

[rickymar81]

Welcome to the club Jenny

[guidofatherof5]

Welcome Jenny.

Garter are an awesome snake. Here's a link to the forum care sheet. It will give you an idea of the right and wrong things to do when setting up an enclosure.
The basics are simple.
Aquarium(with a very secure lid since you have a cat)
A hide for the snake to feel secure in.
A water dish, large enough for the snake to soak/swim in.
A heat source. I suggest an under the tank heater.
A light source.
Substrate.

Feel free to post any questions you might have.


Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet

[thamneil]

Welcome fellow Canadian! Garters are awesome. I can't imagine why you wouldn't want one.

[Selkielass]

Hello!
Sounds like you've investigated the basics pretty well.
a big snake poor can smell every bit as bad as a letterbox in need of cleaning.
Provide plenty of absorbent bedding (a it smells most when wet) and clean regularly.
My biggest garters smell the worst.
Consider a smaller species such as t. Ordonoides (Northwestern garter.)
T. Butlerii are native to our area, but protected on your side of the river/ lake.

If you have room for a slightly larger enclosure (20 long or med cube terrarium)
A bio-active terrarium might be an ideal set up for you.

[indigoman]

Welcome to the forum!

[chris-uk]

Welcome aboard.

A garter is a good choice, but everyone around here is biased.
Your local Canadian members fan advise best on what is available to you and typical costs. Just take a look around and ask as many questions as you need.

[gordonthegarter]

I could never feed mice or rats (have owned both and can't feed things with cute faces that are meant to be pets) and absolutely love Violet. So glad there's snakes that don't eat / have to eat mice!

Welcome by the way.

[gregmonsta]

Greetings