Cope's mountain meadow snake (Thamnophis copei)

Short answers

Cope's mountain meadow snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 50×30×20 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes) (about one fifth more floor space for each additional animal).

Cope's mountain meadow snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C, basking spot Basking spot 28–30 °C, at night 12–16 °C.

Cope's mountain meadow snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended.

Cope's mountain meadow snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 6–8 years (estimate).

Cope's mountain meadow snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C

Night temperature

12–16 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 28–30 °C

Humidity

60–75 % (moist meadow, provide dry resting spots)

UVB

Recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 50×30×20 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes) (about one fifth more floor space for each additional animal)

Substrate

Loose, slightly moist soil with sand and moss, grass tufts, flat stones and bark pieces as hides, a shallow water dish, one dry corner

Feeding

Food

Small earthworms and small slugs as the staple (from untreated ground); small fish pieces if accepted

Feeding interval

adults 2×/week, juveniles more often

Key facts

Adult size

30–40 cm (at most about 39 cm, tail around one fifth)

Life expectancy

6–8 years (estimate)

Origin

West-central Mexico: highlands of Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato and northern Morelos, moist meadows and wetlands, records at about 1,250–2,300 m

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

Winter rest of 8–10 weeks at 8–12 °C

Cohabitation

Group keeping is possible (a small group of similarly sized animals, several hides). The feeding accident remains the risk: always feed singly, ideally in separate boxes, because two snakes can grab the same worm.

Notes

Hardly any keeping experience; values are derived from the habitat (moist highland meadows) and from the genus. The species' diet and daily rhythm are not documented. Until 2021 it was placed in its own genus as Adelophis copei.

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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
• 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 Cope's mountain meadow snake (Thamnophis copei) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 50×30×20 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes) (about one fifth more floor space for each additional animal)), substrate (Loose, slightly moist soil with sand and moss, grass tufts, flat stones and bark pieces as hides, a shallow water dish, one dry corner), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.