Blackbelly garter snake (Thamnophis melanogaster)

Short answers

Blackbelly garter snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 90×55×35 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; about a fifth more floor space for each additional animal).

Blackbelly garter snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot Basking spot 30–33 °C, at night 15–19 °C.

Blackbelly garter snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended.

Blackbelly garter snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Blackbelly garter snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C

Night temperature

15–19 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 30–33 °C

Humidity

50–70 % (keep the land area dry)

UVB

Recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 90×55×35 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; about a fifth more floor space for each additional animal)

Substrate

Aqua-terrarium with a large water section (up to half the floor) and a smaller, dry, heated land area of coco humus or a soil-sand mix; branches above the water for basking, dense hides

Feeding

Food

A pronounced aquatic hunter that feeds only underwater: in the wild fish, tadpoles, frogs, leeches, earthworms and, as the only known garter snake, freshly moulted crayfish. In captivity low-thiaminase fish (dead or live) and earthworms; mice are rarely taken

Feeding interval

adults 2×/week, juveniles more often

Key facts

Adult size

45–70 cm (usually 50–60 cm, record 86 cm)

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Mexico: the central plateau (including Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato, the State of Mexico and Durango) at 1,150–2,550 m, at lakes such as Chapala and Cuitzeo, canals and streams

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A short rest period of 8–12 weeks at 12–16 °C with shorter lighting; a true winter rest is not necessary, and refusing food in winter is normal

Cohabitation

Group keeping is possible (similarly sized animals, a large water section, enough basking spots); experienced keepers also house them together with the Mexican garter snake (T. eques). They strike quickly at feeding time: always feed them singly, ideally in separate boxes.

Notes

Little keeping experience overall, but bred by specialist keepers for years. Very shy at first, calmer over time and then basks openly. A highland species: keep it clearly cooler at night. When feeding fish, choose low-thiaminase species.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Blackbelly garter snake (Thamnophis melanogaster) in the marketplace →

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 Blackbelly garter snake (Thamnophis melanogaster) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 90×55×35 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; about a fifth more floor space for each additional animal)), substrate (Aqua-terrarium with a large water section (up to half the floor) and a smaller, dry, heated land area of coco humus or a soil-sand mix; branches above the water for basking, dense hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.