
No—they are completely harmless. Bites are rare and minor. Their bright coloration is purely a defense strategy.
Garter snakes are small, active, non-venomous colubrid native to North America. They are social, energetic feeders and one of the few snakes that thrive with slightly different diets than typical rodent-eating species. They make engaging pets and are great for beginners when set up properly.
18–48 inches (species dependent)
active, quick, generally gentle
8–15 years (some reach 20)
semi-aquatic, terrestrial
diurnal (active during the day)
tank size, and enclosure type
Temperatures, Heating Equipment, and Lighting
Change water every 2–3 days or when dirty.
Spot clean Weekly; full clean every 1-2 months. Garter snakes enjoy burrowing and exploring under bedding.
Garter snakes are very active and thrive with lots of enrichment.
Garter snakes produce more waste than many species—frequent cleaning helps keep humidity and health in balance.
Some young garters may musk when nervous; this usually improves with age.
Find an exotic veterinarian experienced with snakes.
Never pull the shed; assist only if stuck on the tail or eyes. Provide rough surfaces to help remove old skin.
sneklog is amazing for tracking weight and when they last ate
Add a footnote if this applies to your business
Diet
Garter snakes are dietarily flexible but must eat varied food for proper nutrition. Recommended staples include:
Important: Avoid feeder fish high in thiaminase (goldfish, minnows) except rarely.
Feeding Schedule
Feeding Tips
Still unsure about what to feed your snake?
you can contact us and we will help!
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