Yellow-throated garter snake (Thamnophis pulchrilatus)

Short answers

Yellow-throated garter snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 95×55×40 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; clearly more floor space for a pair).

Yellow-throated garter snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–27 °C, basking spot Basking spot 30–32 °C, at night 12–18 °C.

Yellow-throated garter snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB tube above the basking spot, as for all diurnal garter snakes).

Yellow-throated garter snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–10 years (estimate based on the genus).

Yellow-throated garter snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–27 °C

Night temperature

12–18 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 30–32 °C

Humidity

50–70 % (one moist corner, well ventilated)

UVB

Recommended (UVB tube above the basking spot, as for all diurnal garter snakes)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 95×55×40 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; clearly more floor space for a pair)

Substrate

Coco humus or soil with leaf litter, cool side slightly moist, bark and rocks as hides, a few climbing branches, a large shallow water basin

Feeding

Food

Low-thiaminase fish (with vitamin B1), earthworms, thawed pinkie mice; barely studied in the wild – tadpoles, tree frogs and a salamander are documented, fish, worms and lizards are also suspected

Feeding interval

adults 2×/week, juveniles more often

Key facts

Adult size

45–75 cm (maximum 77 cm)

Life expectancy

8–10 years (estimate based on the genus)

Origin

Endemic to Mexico, scattered populations from Durango and Nuevo León to Oaxaca, about 1370–3050 m

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

Short rest period of 6–8 weeks at 12–16 °C with a few hours of basking per day (mild highland overwintering; colder variants with nights around 5 °C are used by specialists but are riskier)

Cohabitation

In pairs or singly, with roughly equal-sized animals; experience on compatibility is lacking. Always feed singly, ideally in separate boxes.

Notes

Hardly any captive experience; the values are derived from the habitat and from close relatives. Climbs occasionally – the enclosure needs a secure lid and some branches.

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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
• Common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) – Beginner
• Godman's garter snake (Thamnophis godmani) – Expert
• Goldenhead garter snake (Thamnophis chrysocephalus) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Yellow-throated garter snake (Thamnophis pulchrilatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 95×55×40 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, garter snakes; clearly more floor space for a pair)), substrate (Coco humus or soil with leaf litter, cool side slightly moist, bark and rocks as hides, a few climbing branches, a large shallow water basin), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.