Montane garter snake (Thamnophis exsul)

Short answers

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

From 55×35×25 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes) (about one fifth more floor space for each additional animal).

Montane garter snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–24 °C, basking spot Basking spot 28–30 °C, at night 8–14 °C.

Montane garter snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended.

Montane garter snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–10 years.

Montane garter snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–24 °C

Night temperature

8–14 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 28–30 °C

Humidity

50–70 % (more humid in the morning, drying out during the day)

UVB

Recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 55×35×25 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes) (about one fifth more floor space for each additional animal)

Substrate

Loose soil with sand, leaf litter and grass tufts, rotten bark pieces and flat stones as hides, a small shallow water dish

Feeding

Food

Small earthworms as the staple (from untreated ground), plus small slugs; fish pieces and mouse fillet only if accepted

Feeding interval

adults 2×/week, juveniles more often

Key facts

Adult size

30–45 cm (the smallest garter snake, snout-vent length at most 36 cm)

Life expectancy

8–10 years

Origin

North-eastern Mexico: Sierra Madre Oriental in Coahuila and southern Nuevo León (San Antonio de Peña Nevada area), mountain meadows at about 2,650–2,800 m

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

Winter rest of 10–12 weeks at 4–8 °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 (highland meadows at about 2,700 m with cool nights and warm, sunny middays) and from close relatives such as T. scalaris. A cool night drop matters more than high daytime temperatures.

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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 Montane garter snake (Thamnophis exsul) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 55×35×25 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes) (about one fifth more floor space for each additional animal)), substrate (Loose soil with sand, leaf litter and grass tufts, rotten bark pieces and flat stones as hides, a small 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.