Short-headed garter snake (Thamnophis brachystoma)

Short answers

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

From 65×40×25 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; considerably more floor space for each additional animal).

Short-headed garter snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 21–26 °C, basking spot Basking spot 28–30 °C, at night 15–19 °C.

Short-headed garter snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (low UVB output, plenty of shade and cover).

Short-headed garter snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 6–10 years.

Short-headed garter snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

21–26 °C

Night temperature

15–19 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 28–30 °C

Humidity

55–75 % (substrate partly damp, humid hide)

UVB

Recommended (low UVB output, plenty of shade and cover)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 65×40×25 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; considerably more floor space for each additional animal)

Substrate

Moisture-holding soil with moss and leaf litter, many flat hides made of bark, small boards and slate, a shallow water dish

Feeding

Food

An earthworm specialist – almost exclusively in the wild. In captivity earthworms (no red wigglers); some animals also take leeches, small pieces of fish or food scented with worm. Dust worms with calcium/vitamins occasionally.

Feeding interval

adults 2×/week, juveniles more often

Key facts

Adult size

30–50 cm (maximum about 56 cm, females larger)

Life expectancy

6–10 years

Origin

North-eastern USA: north-western Pennsylvania and south-western New York (introduced near Pittsburgh and in Ohio)

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–14 weeks at 4–8 °C

Cohabitation

Can be kept in pairs or as a small group of similarly sized animals; in the wild several animals often lie under the same cover. If you want to rule out every risk, keep them singly. Only ever feed them separately – two animals on the same earthworm is the typical feeding accident.

Notes

Little captive experience; the care values are derived from its cool, damp habitat and from close relatives (T. butleri, T. sirtalis). A year-round supply of earthworms must be ensured.

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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 Short-headed garter snake (Thamnophis brachystoma) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 65×40×25 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; considerably more floor space for each additional animal)), substrate (Moisture-holding soil with moss and leaf litter, many flat hides made of bark, small boards and slate, a 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.