New Albino Checkerd garter.

[celbii]

Hey everyone, thanks so much for all the great info! I'll try to reply to some of it as im in a bit of a rush at the moment :P
Feeding wise, They are pretty tiny pinkies, the store I got him from I believe were feeding them whole to him once a week.
The substrate is reptile bark, which he has been able to burrow into(and make me sad when I dont see him :P).
I was kind of wondering also about covering the top, we did it mostly to keep heat in. Also what are your opinions on a red light? I switch the light to a red bulb at night time.

However, if no lights are required for an albino(Makes sense) can anyone recommend a good heat mat to me? I was worried that they could burn the snake if he was on the glass but I guess they are making them with thermostats these days probably.

As for the water I think it is okay, I caught him earlier taking a big drink from it untill he saw me looking at him after he finished and went to hide.

edit: Also alot of the time I find him (in the 3 days I have owned him lol) usually when he is not in his coconut on the hot side(with light) he is hiding somewhere usually burrowed under the bark in the cool side, would this be an indicator that the light is bad for him?

[infernalis]

I will maintain this to the end. Garter snakes live in some really harsh conditions.. They are quite happy at room temperatures (Unless you live in an igloo)

Shut down everything at night, Evenings are supposed to be cooler for them.

The local T.S.sirtals can often be found under things while there is frost on the ground.

[RedSidedSPR]

Welcome to the forum!

Awesome snake! Ask any questions you have, and Keep us posted

[guidofatherof5]

The smallest ZooMed heat pad doesn't get very hot.
I understand your concern about the possibility of getting burned. I sometimes place a ceramic tile on the glass where the mat is.
This way the mat has to heat up the tile up which lowers the overall temp. Just an idea.

Amazon.com: zoomed heat pad

[chris-uk]

I tried one of our pads without a stat, and it got to just over 30C. Now I believe that rocks and the ground in many parts of the States will get far in excess of that on a nice sunny summer day.

[EasternGirl]

That is good to know since I have been nervous about using one for the new albino on his way....

[ConcinusMan]

Now I believe that rocks and the ground in many parts of the States will get far in excess of that on a nice sunny summer day.

While this is true, I caution about comparing outside wild conditions with those in captivity. People often compare the conditions outside where they found the snake and think that's good inside. Such as wet forest floor, swampy areas, rotting compost matter etc. Just because that's where you find them outside doesn't mean they will do well like that inside. Another thing, "a sunny summer day" usually has air temps well in excess of room temperatures. Snakes in captivity that are struggling to raise their core temp because of low air temp, can, and do burn themselves on heat pads. You just won't see garters, even outside, sitting on scalding hot surfaces on a warm summer day. On the contrary, they tend to disappear and are only seen warming themselves and being active, in morning when the air is very cool, and the last few hours of the day.

While they might survive just fine at room temp as some people say, I don't think one should do that. For one thing, its not at all how they live in the wild. On the other hand, how they live in the wild is sometimes irrelevant. So what if you find them outside when it's cold? That doesn't necessarily mean we should put them through that. They do tolerate adverse conditions but the point here is, to give them very comfortable conditions while in captivity. The right amount of heat, and wide temperature gradient in captivity enhances immunity, growth and digestion. I don't recommend keeping your garters at room temp all the time. They need a heat source to thrive. They should be able to raise their core temp to 80-86 degrees F during the day. They will inevitably seek to achieve that whenever conditions allow it. At other times in the physiology (such as being in shed) they may seek out cooler temps. My point is, they should have that gradient and be able to choose. Turning all lights and heat off at night and cooling them down, (unless sick or injured) giving them uninterrupted night, I can recommend. I would not keep them warm 24 hours a day and I wouldn't interrupt their night by coming in the room and turning lights on. Night should be just that. Dark, and cooler than the day but I would never keep a garter long term without allowing it warm itself to at least 80 F each day, if they should so choose to do so. Brumation and simulated fall/winter for breeding purposes is an exception to this.

[infernalis]

Even though you are dancing around it, don't worry about offending ME Richard.

If you read that post carefully, I said almost what you just did.

I did not recommend anything aside from shutting down the heat at night. Read closely grasshopper.

I will maintain this to the end. Garter snakes live in some really harsh conditions.. They are quite happy at room temperatures (Unless you live in an igloo)

Shut down everything at night, Evenings are supposed to be cooler for them.

The local T.S.sirtals can often be found under things while there is frost on the ground.

Examples for illustrative purposes, the only recommendation in that post was to shut down at night.

[ConcinusMan]

Now, you know better than that Wayne. Since when have I ever worried about offending anyone when stating my opinion. I wasn't dancing around anything. I just thought that this statement gives the wrong impression. It sounds like you're recommending keeping them at room temp and no added heat. IMO that's not good for long term and that's all I'm trying to say. There are people that say they keep them in tubs with no added heat, just room temp and "they do fine". That's just ludicrous. Not recommended at all. They would survive most likely, but they certainly won't thrive. Yes, garters face harsh conditions in the wild. It's not our goal to make their life harsh in captivity.

I will maintain this to the end. Garter snakes live in some really harsh conditions.. They are quite happy at room temperatures (Unless you live in an igloo)

[EasternGirl]

Okay...well considering all that you are saying, and the fact that I am starting to get a better handle on things...I have been trying to monitor the temps in Cee Cee and Selena's enclosure carefully these days. I usually use a 25 watt basking bulb during the day along with a flourescent light...and a 25 watt night bulb. I have noted that the temp during the day gets to about 77/78 degrees with the basking light I'm using, and goes down to about 70-73 degrees at night with the night bulb I'm using. I'm thinking that based on what you are saying, I should have higher temps for them during the day...and lower temps for them at night. What should I use to get the temps higher for them during the day? And, should I just not use any bulbs at night? I just worry about it getting too cold at night.