Butler's garter snake (Thamnophis butleri)

Short answers

Butler's garter snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 70×40×30 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; considerably more floor space for each additional animal).

Butler's garter snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–27 °C, basking spot Basking spot 29–31 °C, at night 16–20 °C.

Butler's garter snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (low UVB output, basking spot with shade to retreat to).

Butler's garter snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 6–10 years.

Butler's garter snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–27 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 29–31 °C

Humidity

50–70 % (substrate partly damp, humid hide)

UVB

Recommended (low UVB output, basking spot with shade to retreat to)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 70×40×30 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; considerably more floor space for each additional animal)

Substrate

Loose, moisture-holding soil with a layer of moss and leaf litter, flat bark pieces and slate as hides, a shallow water dish

Feeding

Food

An earthworm specialist (around 80 % of its natural diet), plus leeches and occasionally small amphibians. In captivity earthworms (no red wigglers), sometimes also small pieces of fish or mouse fillet scented with worm; dust worms with calcium/vitamins occasionally.

Feeding interval

adults 2×/week, juveniles more often

Key facts

Adult size

38–55 cm (rarely up to 74 cm)

Life expectancy

6–10 years

Origin

North-eastern USA and Canada: Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, southern Ontario, isolated in south-eastern Wisconsin

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–14 weeks at 4–8 °C

Cohabitation

Can be kept in pairs or as a small group of similarly sized animals; in the wild they overwinter together and gravid females gather. If you want to avoid any stress, keep them singly. Only ever feed them separately – two animals on the same earthworm is the typical feeding accident.

Notes

Little captive experience; the care values are derived from its cool, damp habitat and from close relatives (T. radix, T. sirtalis). A small worm-eating species – a year-round supply of earthworms must be ensured.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Ahumada's alpine garter snake (Thamnophis ahumadai) – Expert
• Bogert's garter snake (Thamnophis bogerti) – Expert
• 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
• Goldenhead garter snake (Thamnophis chrysocephalus) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Butler's garter snake (Thamnophis butleri) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 70×40×30 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; considerably more floor space for each additional animal)), substrate (Loose, moisture-holding soil with a layer of moss and leaf litter, flat bark pieces and slate as hides, a shallow 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.