Black-necked garter snake (Thamnophis cyrtopsis)

Short answers

Black-necked garter snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 140×85×55 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, garter snakes).

Black-necked garter snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot 33 °C, at night 15–19 °C.

Black-necked garter snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Black-necked garter snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Black-necked garter snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C

Night temperature

15–19 °C

Basking spot

33 °C

Humidity

45–60 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 140×85×55 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, garter snakes)

Substrate

Sand-loam with stones, a cork hide, a large water dish

Feeding

Food

Fish, amphibian substitute food, earthworms, frozen-thawed mice

Feeding interval

2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

60–110 cm

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

The south-western USA, Mexico – dry canyons

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–14 weeks at 8–14 °C

Cohabitation

A group is possible. Water and garter snakes are the exception among colubrids: they lie together willingly and can be kept in groups. But the feeding accident remains the risk here too — so always feed them singly, ideally in separate boxes, and only house animals of roughly the same size together.

Notes

To be kept drier than most garter snakes – it inhabits streams in otherwise dry canyons. Striking black nape spots.

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Related species

• Ahumada's alpine garter snake (Thamnophis ahumadai) – Expert
• Bogert's garter snake (Thamnophis bogerti) – Expert
• Butler's garter snake (Thamnophis butleri) – Intermediate
• Cope's mountain meadow snake (Thamnophis copei) – Expert
• Fox's mountain meadow snake (Thamnophis foxi) – Expert
• Yellow-throated garter snake (Thamnophis pulchrilatus) – Expert
• Common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) – Beginner
• Godman's garter snake (Thamnophis godmani) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Black-necked garter snake (Thamnophis cyrtopsis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 140×85×55 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, garter snakes)), substrate (Sand-loam with stones, a cork hide, a large water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.