Hi everyone

[mustang]

welcome i caught my first garter bout a year ago. its a awsome challenge raising a wild caught

[ConcinusMan]

Not really. Sometimes you just have to get a few good looking ones and try them out. Give them at least 3 weeks to adapt. Some don't adapt and must be released. My experience with Oregon Red spots has been mostly positive. Like radixes or easterns, they tend to do very well. Very few have been any trouble for me. Most will eat within 2 weeks and it gets even better after that.

I've had more trouble raising some CB snakes than wild caught garters.

[lauwersp]

Thanks for the advice on the dirt. This is my plan, all input is welcome...

I'm going to take everything out of the tank... and then start with a couple inches of sand, but only 2/3 the width of the tank. The remaining 1/3 would be water... such to mimic the edge of a pond... i figured sand would be easier for him to dig in, as he seems to want to do that... maybe a small plant or two and a nice hiding spot.

Anything I'm missing or anything in that plan that's a bad idea?

[ConcinusMan]

NO! Very bad idea. You gotta be messin' with us now aren't you? Forget mimicking anything dangit!

The snakes are WAY better off if you line the tank with several layers of newspaper, and create a small pile of shredded paper or cardboard boxes for them to hide in on the cool end. Provide a clear basking area with overhead heat or use an undertank heater on the other end. Provide a sturdy, tip proof water dish . Keep their enclosure dry and warm, 50-70 percent humidity.

Unless you can get your hands on some carefresh, aspen shavings, fir bark pieces, coconut fiber (goes by different names) then just use newspaper and keep it clean and dry!

[lauwersp]

chuckle... well I reread the Care Guide and saw no sand...

"I, Peter Lauwers, hereby and henceforth promise not to deviate from the aforementioned care guide in all future care of _________________, my Easter Garter snake."

Now someone PLEASE teach me the secret handshake.

[lauwersp]

I will say this... this guy LOVES to dig... I'll be sorry to see the digging material go... any alternatives for that?

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, Peter

[ConcinusMan]

I will say this... this guy LOVES to dig... I'll be sorry to see the digging material go... any alternatives for that?

Sure. A mixture of fir bark pieces and coconut fiber. Sometimes sold as "forest mix" for reptiles. The stuff is cheaper if you look in garden centers for it and mix it yourself. Just make sure of the ingredients. If he really loves to dig in the substrate I would recommend staying away from bottom heat and use a basking bulb (placed about 12-18 inches above but where the snake can't touch it, such as on top of a screen top) so there is a "sunny" area between 80-85 degrees for about 10 hours a day. Put the water dish on the cool end. Cool end should be 70-75. I highly recommend putting your heat and/or lighting on a timer so the snakes can get into a rythm and they know when to expect sunup/sundown. Full spectrum lighting with at least a little UVA or UVA and UVB output really helps them thrive. Garters love sun and it shows in their appetite and attitude if they get some "sun"

Here's a link to the substrate material I recommend:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846

http://www.amazon.com/EXO-TERRA-REPT...5635593&sr=8-4

Just find the best deal you can on those two materials, sometimes at garden centers, and mix it. Perfect substrate, just keep it dry and change it if it starts to smell funny.

[ssssnakeluvr]

I use carefresh (I get the generic version from Wal Mart, little cheaper). they love to burrow thru it!

[drache]

those of my snakes who love to burrow get either care fresh or aspen shavings