Madrean narrow-headed garter snake (Thamnophis unilabialis)

Short answers

Madrean narrow-headed garter snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 95×55×40 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; about a fifth more floor space for each additional animal).

Madrean narrow-headed garter snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C, basking spot Basking spot 29–31 °C, at night 12–16 °C.

Madrean narrow-headed garter snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended.

Madrean narrow-headed garter snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Madrean narrow-headed garter 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 29–31 °C

Humidity

50–65 % (dry land area, clear and cool water)

UVB

Recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 95×55×40 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; about a fifth more floor space for each additional animal)

Substrate

Aqua-terrarium styled as a mountain stream: a large water section with clear, filtered, rather cool water and stones on the bottom, rock and gravel banks, a dry land area with coco humus, rock piles with crevices as hides

Feeding

Food

A fish and tadpole eater: in the wild small fish (such as minnows) and tadpoles from streams and ponds. In captivity small low-thiaminase fish (e.g. smelt, pieces of trout); earthworms and mice are probably rarely accepted

Feeding interval

adults 1–2×/week, juveniles more often

Key facts

Adult size

45–75 cm (maximum size not reliably documented)

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Mexico: cool headwater streams and rivers in the Sierra Madre Occidental, from eastern Sonora through western Chihuahua to northern Durango; highlands, roughly 1,500–2,400 m

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–14 weeks at 5–10 °C

Cohabitation

Pairs or a small group of similarly sized animals are possible; in the wild many snakes gather at productive ponds. At feeding time the feeding accident remains the risk: always feed them singly, ideally in separate boxes.

Notes

Hardly any captive experience; the values are derived from the habitat and from close relatives. Only recognised as a separate species since 2011, previously a subspecies of the narrow-headed garter snake. A montane species: keep it cool, with clear water, and choose low-thiaminase fish.

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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 Madrean narrow-headed garter snake (Thamnophis unilabialis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 95×55×40 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; about a fifth more floor space for each additional animal)), substrate (Aqua-terrarium styled as a mountain stream: a large water section with clear, filtered, rather cool water and stones on the bottom, rock and gravel banks, a dry land area with coco humus, rock piles with crevices as 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.