Southern Durango spotted garter snake (Thamnophis nigronuchalis)

Short answers

Southern Durango spotted garter snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 90×55×35 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; about a fifth more floor space for each additional animal).

Southern Durango spotted garter snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–25 °C, basking spot Basking spot 28–30 °C.

Southern Durango spotted garter snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended.

Southern Durango spotted garter snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Southern Durango spotted garter snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–25 °C

Night temperature

10–14 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 28–30 °C

Humidity

55–70 % (a moist meadow corner, the rest dry)

UVB

Recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 90×55×35 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; about a fifth more floor space for each additional animal)

Substrate

Mountain-meadow enclosure: a soil-sand mix or coco humus with moss and grass patches, one moister corner, flat stones and bark as hides, a large, shallow water bowl; cool and well ventilated overall

Feeding

Food

In the wild earthworms and amphibians (leopard frogs, treefrogs). In captivity mainly earthworms, plus low-thiaminase fish; mouse fillets only if the snake accepts them. Switching pure amphibian eaters to substitute food does not always succeed

Feeding interval

adults 1–2×/week, juveniles more often

Key facts

Adult size

45–70 cm (stocky build; exact maximum size not documented)

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Mexico: only south-western Durango (and adjacent Nayarit), high mountain meadows and stream banks of the Sierra Madre Occidental around El Salto and San Luis at about 2,600–2,750 m

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A winter rest of 12–16 weeks at 4–8 °C

Cohabitation

Pairs or a small group of similarly sized animals are possible. With earthworms the feeding accident is especially common – two snakes on the same worm: always feed them singly, ideally in separate boxes.

Notes

Hardly any captive experience; the values are derived from the habitat and from close relatives. A high-mountain species from above 2,500 m: it tolerates heat poorly and needs cool nights and a long, cold winter rest. Very little is known about its life history and population.

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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 Southern Durango spotted garter snake (Thamnophis nigronuchalis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 90×55×35 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; about a fifth more floor space for each additional animal)), substrate (Mountain-meadow enclosure: a soil-sand mix or coco humus with moss and grass patches, one moister corner, flat stones and bark as hides, a large, shallow water bowl; cool and well ventilated overall), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.