Highland garter snake (Thamnophis fulvus)

Short answers

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

From 80×50×35 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; clearly more floor space for a pair).

Highland garter snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–26 °C, basking spot Basking spot 28–32 °C, at night 12–16 °C.

Highland garter snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB tube above the basking spot, as for all diurnal garter snakes).

Highland garter snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–10 years (estimate based on the genus).

Highland garter snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–26 °C

Night temperature

12–16 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 28–32 °C

Humidity

60–80 % (montane forest and highland marshes; still well ventilated)

UVB

Recommended (UVB tube above the basking spot, as for all diurnal garter snakes)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 80×50×35 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; clearly more floor space for a pair)

Substrate

Coco humus or soil with leaf litter and moss, cool side moist, bark and rocks as hides, a large shallow water basin

Feeding

Food

Low-thiaminase fish (with vitamin B1), plus earthworms and thawed pinkie mice, scented with fish if needed; in the wild an amphibian specialist that eats almost only frogs and tadpoles

Feeding interval

adults 2×/week, juveniles more often

Key facts

Adult size

about 45–65 cm (guide value from close relatives, species-specific measurements are lacking)

Life expectancy

8–10 years (estimate based on the genus)

Origin

The highlands of Chiapas (Mexico), Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, about 1600–3500 m

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

Short rest period of 6–8 weeks at 12–16 °C with a few hours of basking per day (derived from the montane climate; a cold winter rest is not needed)

Cohabitation

In pairs or singly, with roughly equal-sized animals; experience on compatibility is lacking. Always feed singly, ideally in separate boxes – especially with fish, garter snakes otherwise grab the same morsel.

Notes

Hardly any captive experience; the values are derived from the habitat and from close relatives. As an amphibian specialist it has to be switched to substitute food – wild-caught animals often do not accept it.

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
• 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 Highland garter snake (Thamnophis fulvus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 80×50×35 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; clearly more floor space for a pair)), substrate (Coco humus or soil with leaf litter and moss, cool side moist, bark and rocks as hides, a large shallow water basin), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.