Hello!!

[NFS07]

Hello! This site sure does draw in a lot of people from all over.

How easy are they to bred?

Thanks for all the replies. It's really helping me get a better understand of what I will be taking on. I think I have run out of questions.

If anyone knows of breeders or thinks they will have babies soonish please either post here or PM. I would like to at least know where I could get one or a pair.

HA! New question. Should I get one single one or a pair? I saw a post about being able to cohab this guys. So should I get a pair and have them in either a 30g or in a cage that is 48x24x17.5?

[Lori P]

They do seem to be very social. Mine are always together. I call it cuddling, James calls it inhabiting the best spot at the same time. LOL :-) I think they find comfort from each other, but that's just me. :-)

I think like with any animal, if you are serious about breeding and willing to learn all the ins and outs, you should have a good chance of being succesful. I know I'm not ready for the responsibility of dozens of little babies popping out one day and having to teach them how to eat. LOL I think I'd have a heart attack from worrying about them!! :-)

[NFS07]

So a pair of the same sex would be best? How active are they? Do they need much direct sunlight?

You guys are so much help. *snuggles are of you*

[Stefan-A]

A pair of the same sex is best if you don't want to breed them. They are very active compared to most other snakes. Direct sunlight should be avoided, the intensity raises the temperature in the terrarium to unhealthy levels in just a couple of minutes. After all, it's basking temperature even if the terrarium is very well ventilated and the snake should always have a cooler spot to retreat to when it gets too hot. If the terrarium is in direct sunlight, it doesn't have that option anymore. In the wild, there is nothing to trap the heat and cool places are always available.

[NFS07]

Ok.

So after reading the caresheet I was thinking I would stay away from aspen but I have seen photos with it in the tanks. Also I don't think the stuff I use is sharp. I'm not at home right now so I can't check. It's the bedding used for rodents, came in bulk. It was sooo much cheaper than the aspen snake stuff and I think it looks better. My corn likes to burrow more in this stuff than the snake aspen.

So could I use that aspen or should I stick to newspaper?

[Stefan-A]

Newspaper is safer. Aspen doesn't need to be sharp to cause an impaction.

I'd be careful using bedding intended for rodents, most of them seem to be made from pine trees and the resin in it gives off fumes that can cause respiratory problems and neurological damage in snakes.

We're all searching for the ideal substrate. It's a matter of weighing the pros and cons.

[GarterGuy]

As far as bedding, I REALLY like the Carefresh stuff. It's light, it can be burrowed into, it doesn't contain any toxins, it's easy to clean and if ingested it's easily passed. It's only draw back is it's grey, so it's not real eye appealing, but neither is newprint either...LOL. I use it on ALL my snakes and have had great success with it. I have used the Aspen before, and unfortunately lost a snake due to an impaction....so I completely stay away from it now. I know that some people don't like the Carefresh, stating it's too dry, but I have not had any problems with it for such and all my snakes shed nice complete sheds with nothing more then their water dishes for moisture....so don't really see that as a draw back.

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, Nicole

[Snaky]

Welcome from Belgium. Have fun here

Those blue beauties are truly nice. You'll love them. Garters in general are very fun to have. They are active, curious and very investigative. Hope you'll lean a lot here, you're certainly well on the way with all the questions

[NFS07]

What does the carefresh stuff look like? Do you have a photo of your tank?

Hi Odie and Hans!!! I'm really ready to have one but I'm going to wait till spring so I can have more money and I'm hoping to be in my own apt!!!! I can't wait to move out.