Rossman's garter snake (Thamnophis rossmani)

Short answers

Rossman's garter snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 75×45×30 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes) (about one fifth more floor space for each additional animal).

Rossman's garter snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot 32 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

Rossman's garter snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended.

Rossman's garter snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–10 years.

Rossman's garter snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

32 °C

Humidity

60–75 % (wetland species, provide dry resting spots)

UVB

Recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 75×45×30 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes) (about one fifth more floor space for each additional animal)

Substrate

Coco humus or a soil-sand mix, a large shallow water basin, plants and roots along the edge, several hides, one dry side

Feeding

Food

Fish (low in thiaminase!), earthworms, mouse fillet or small frozen mice if accepted

Feeding interval

adults 2×/week, juveniles more often

Key facts

Adult size

about 40–60 cm (estimate; described as moderate-sized in the original description)

Life expectancy

8–10 years

Origin

Mexico: known only from the state of Nayarit (San Cayetano area), wetlands

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

Short rest period of 6–8 weeks at 14–18 °C (derived from the subtropical habitat)

Cohabitation

Group keeping is possible (similarly sized animals, enough feeding spots). Here too the feeding accident remains the risk: always feed singly, ideally in separate boxes, and only house animals of roughly the same size together.

Notes

Hardly any keeping experience; values are derived from the habitat (wetlands in Nayarit) and from close relatives in captivity such as the Mexican garter snake. With a fish-heavy diet, use low-thiaminase varieties, or vitamin B1 deficiency threatens.

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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 Rossman's garter snake (Thamnophis rossmani) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 75×45×30 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes) (about one fifth more floor space for each additional animal)), substrate (Coco humus or a soil-sand mix, a large shallow water basin, plants and roots along the edge, several hides, one dry side), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.