Red-sided garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis)

Short answers

Red-sided garter snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 125×75×50 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, garter snakes, with a large bathing area and a wet box).

Red-sided garter snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot 30–35 °C (local hot spot), at night 18–20 °C.

Red-sided garter snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential but recommended (diurnal, basks).

Red-sided garter snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: ~6–10 years (up to 12).

Red-sided garter snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C

Night temperature

18–20 °C

Basking spot

30–35 °C (local hot spot)

Humidity

40–60 %

UVB

UVB not essential but recommended (diurnal, basks)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 125×75×50 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, garter snakes, with a large bathing area and a wet box)

Substrate

Absorbent soil or a sand-soil mix, one area damp; a humid box; a large bathing spot

Feeding

Food

Fish (smelt), earthworms, occasionally pinkie mice; add vitamin B1 if feeding fish only

Feeding interval

adults 1–2×/week, juveniles every 2–3 days

Key facts

Adult size

45–90 cm (females larger, up to ~1 m)

Life expectancy

~6–10 years (up to 12)

Origin

Central and northern North America (the USA, Canada); "red-sided" mainly on the Great Plains

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; not protected

Brumation

A winter rest or cooling of 6–8 weeks at ~5–10 °C (a temperate species; for breeding, and in the wild they overwinter communally)

Cohabitation

Group housing is possible in this species – water and garter snakes are the exception among snakes: they voluntarily rest together. The feeding accident remains the risk here too, so always feed individually, best in separate boxes, and only house similarly sized animals together.

Notes

A classic, robust beginner's garter snake; live-bearing and diurnal. Feed them separately; vitamin B1 with a pure fish diet against thiamine deficiency.

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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 Red-sided garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 125×75×50 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, garter snakes, with a large bathing area and a wet box)), substrate (Absorbent soil or a sand-soil mix, one area damp; a humid box; a large bathing spot), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.