Checkered Garter Snake
Thamnophis marcianus
Checkered Garter snakes are some of the most popular snakes kept and reared by those interested in snakes. These are snakes that are very small with an approximate length of three feet. There are those that can reach up to 42 inches but most of the time it is hard to find them past 28 inches long. The name of this snake is mainly due to its color which is commonly green and a black pattern which is checkerboard like. There are those that are wild and they are found in the southern part of the United States. This is mainly the best snake to start rearing if one is new in the industry of keeping amphibians and also reptiles.
These snakes usually do not require a large enclosure especially when they are young because they are usually very timid and shy when young. This means that a small area will be perfect while starting and you do not have to worry about a big place when it comes to space. It is however important to ensure that the large adult checkered garter snakes have a big enclosed space since they will need to move around from one place to another so as to feel a bit more comfortable. It is also important to ensure that the enclosed space is well ventilated for both the young and adult snakes.
These snakes usually do not require a large enclosure especially when they are young because they are usually very timid and shy when young. This means that a small area will be perfect while starting and you do not have to worry about a big place when it comes to space. It is however important to ensure that the large adult checkered garter snakes have a big enclosed space since they will need to move around from one place to another so as to feel a bit more comfortable. It is also important to ensure that the enclosed space is well ventilated for both the young and adult snakes.
These snakes also love dark places where they can hide and this means that one should look for things like pots for flowers and plastic containers that will give them a good hiding place and more comfort. The enclosure should also be well covered since these snakes usually like to escape and if the lid of the enclosure is not tightly put then it can be a good way for the snake to escape.
The bedding of the checkered garter snake should also be perfect since this is the one place that the snake will spend most of its time. Folded newspaper is one of the best beddings for the snake since it is very easy to place, cheap and it is also very clean. One can also use a nice carpet as the substrate for the snake although this might be a bit more expensive than the newspaper because it will need to be cleaned regularly. This basically means that one should have at least two pieces that are the same so that when one is being cleaned then the other one can be placed.
The checkered garter snake usually has a variation of diets and these include red worms, earth worms and any other type of insect. There is also the inclusion of fish which include the sand eels, guppies and lance fish. It is however important to ensure that when serving the snake with the fish you include other preys such as the worms. It is important to ensure that the size of the meal you are serving the snake is appropriate because if it is too small then it might miss out on some of the most important nutrients and if it is too big it might spit all of it out.
The bedding of the checkered garter snake should also be perfect since this is the one place that the snake will spend most of its time. Folded newspaper is one of the best beddings for the snake since it is very easy to place, cheap and it is also very clean. One can also use a nice carpet as the substrate for the snake although this might be a bit more expensive than the newspaper because it will need to be cleaned regularly. This basically means that one should have at least two pieces that are the same so that when one is being cleaned then the other one can be placed.
The checkered garter snake usually has a variation of diets and these include red worms, earth worms and any other type of insect. There is also the inclusion of fish which include the sand eels, guppies and lance fish. It is however important to ensure that when serving the snake with the fish you include other preys such as the worms. It is important to ensure that the size of the meal you are serving the snake is appropriate because if it is too small then it might miss out on some of the most important nutrients and if it is too big it might spit all of it out.