Two-striped garter snake (Thamnophis hammondii)

Short answers

Two-striped garter snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 95×55×40 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; considerably more floor space for each additional animal).

Two-striped garter snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–29 °C, basking spot Basking spot 30–32 °C, at night 16–20 °C.

Two-striped garter snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UV index around 2–3 at the basking spot).

Two-striped garter snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–10 years.

Two-striped garter snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–29 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 30–32 °C

Humidity

45–60 % (land area dry, humidity from the water basin)

UVB

Recommended (UV index around 2–3 at the basking spot)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 95×55×40 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; considerably more floor space for each additional animal)

Substrate

Sand-soil mix with a stony area, a large water basin in which the snake can fully submerge, stones and roots at the edge, hides on land

Feeding

Food

In the wild fish, fish eggs, tadpoles, newt larvae, small frogs and toads, leeches and earthworms. In captivity fish (low in thiaminase; avoid e.g. smelt and goldfish), earthworms (no red wigglers) and frozen-thawed mice or mouse fillet, scented with fish if needed. Do not feed amphibians.

Feeding interval

adults 2×/week, juveniles more often

Key facts

Adult size

45–75 cm (rarely up to 102 cm)

Life expectancy

8–10 years

Origin

Southern California (from Monterey County southwards, also Santa Catalina Island) to Baja California (Mexico); sea level to about 2,100 m

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A short rest period of 4–8 weeks at 10–14 °C (active almost all year round in the wild)

Cohabitation

Can be kept in pairs or as a small group of similarly sized animals, with considerably more space and several basking spots. If you want to avoid stress completely, keep them singly. Always feed them separately – when fish are fed in a shared basin, one snake quickly grabs the other.

Notes

Little captive experience; the care values are derived from the Mediterranean climate of southern California and from close relatives (T. atratus, T. couchii). One of the most water-bound garter snakes; in hot weather also active at dusk and at night.

Do you keep this species?

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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 Two-striped garter snake (Thamnophis hammondii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 95×55×40 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; considerably more floor space for each additional animal)), substrate (Sand-soil mix with a stony area, a large water basin in which the snake can fully submerge, stones and roots at the edge, hides on land), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.