Garter snake?

Question

Who here owns a garter snake? Are they good pets? My family wants an easy snake that does not need to eat mice, etc., but is cute and tamable. Thanks!!

I live in an apartment too small for a dog, and I already have a cat ;P (and some fish, two birds, and crested geckos)

And my adorable dwarf hamsters who I left out before on purpose, because I don't like explaining why I have them:) They are so cute, but my neice talked me into them (I dont regret it) As you can see I love mice ty pe animals, but would like a cool little snake...thanx!!!

Bhappy -- don't be silly, my snake would not be loose, nor would my other pets besides the cat. Garters don't have to eat mice, which is why I am interested in those, or green snakes.

Sean -- interesting you say that. I don't want to jump into my next pet, but I came very close to getting a baby beardie a few days ago. A local well regarded pet store is selling babies for just $15, though of course I would need to get UV lighting, etc. But I have always thought they were cute, and that is a steal, especially since this is a good store, and not a chain store. I may need to reconsider a beardie instead of a snake...

AS FOR EATING MICE -- From what I have read, you must TRICK a garter into eating mice by making it smell like worms or fish -- that is not a natural diet since mice don't live where those snakes live. So why are you all hung up on feeding garters mice?

Answer 1

bearded dragon sounds good for you, big lizard about 16 inches. and only needs veggies and occasionally worms, crickets ext.
very tame

Answer 2

Snakes are fantastic pets. Very low maintenance, fascinating to watch, extremely cheap to maintain and they provide a good talking point. However, if you don't want something that eats mice, you're barking up the wrong tree.

However, if you're okay with feeding F/T (frozen/thawed) mice, then I still recommend a snake. You buy these mice pre-killed from any herp pet shop. You should never feed live mice to snakes, it's dangerous - mice have claws and teeth and can easily wound a snake.

If you won't do that, then a lizard is a good option. For something smaller than a beardie without the need for UVB light, a gecko is an excellent choice. Leopard geckos are probably the easiest lizard to care for for a beginner. They get 6 - 10 inches long including the tail, are very docile and only need a 24 inch long vivarium. They eat crickets, locusts, mealworms, silkworms and the occasional waxworm.

Answer 3

Most captive bred snakes will have been bought up on either live or prekilled mice. you tend to only get them feeding on other things if they will not take mice, but most reptile owners prefer their snakes to be on prekilled mice in the UK, i know the US is big on life feeding, but its illegal over here. So getting a snake basically will mean that you have to feed something you might concider 'cute' to it.

Snakes are not generally tamable, i hate using that word for any reptiles, most of the time they will tolorate being handeled, but they don't like being petted like a dog or cat would. if you want something that may enjoy human interaction then go for a beardie, they are very social animals, and if you don't have room for a 3-4foot long viv for a fully grown beardie there are Rankins Dragons out there that are kind of a 'dwaf' of the berdie.

You need to be prepared to feed your pet what ever it needs, i.e i had a hatchling corn snake that refused to eat unless i 'brained' the mouse, by putting a pin up its nose or cutting the end of its nose off, to let some of the 'juice' come out.

Garter snakes are 'easy' again a word i hate using for any pet, they are only easy if you know what you are doing. so do plenty of research before you purchase, and make sure you have a good reptile vet near by just in case.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Not all garter snakes don't eat mice, keep that in mind when you are looking.
Though most can subsit on goldfish it is not a complete and healthy diet for them, most need to also eat small feeder lizards, slugs, and frogs.

If you are still with me... *lol*
Garter snakes can be very handalable when treated properly, and best if CB if you are wanting a pet. Though I know several WC garters that are pretty good pets too.

If you are not wanting to have something that eats mice, avoid a snake altogether. If you are looking for a small snake, you might try a Rubber Boa, they top out at 2' and eat Fuzzy mice ONLY, they never grow large enough for anything larger then a fuzzy mouse. They also don't bite or try to strike.

Answer 5

I've been keeping garters for 4 decades & they are a great snake to have around. Their initial diet will consist of earthworms, small fish/minnows, snails, salamanders, small frogs, tadpoles. Don't ever try to feed them any type of cricket/grasshopper/beetle etc as they will not eat insects, contrary to what most people on this site think. They are a bit twitchy at first, but then all newborns are. With time & proper handling, they become very docile.
Not to burst your bubble, but after about 18mo.-2yrs. they will switch their diet to small mice/rodents. All mine have made the switch without having to be tricked by any means. The two I have now are sisters that I've had since birth, are 5yrs. old & they're both over 4ft. & eat nothing but rodents. After they reach this size, they will not be properly nourished on earthworms etc. As for feeding fish, an all fish diet will eventually cause a severe vitamin deficiency in the snake & can kill it eventually.
PS: Where do you think these snakes live that there are no rodents around? Their natural habitat is swarming with rodents & it's only natural for the larger snakes to eat them .

Answer 6

I don't think reptiles make good pets. Snakes eat small mammals. So if U do not feed it mice what would U feed a snake. I think U would be better off with a cat, a dog or a rat. They are cute & tamable.

Just read additional info. Forget the snake it would eat your other pets.

Answer 7

I have a ribbon snake,which is a relative.Garter snakes actually like mice,but you could feed them frozen pre- killed ones.They will also eat fish,earthworms, tadpoles and small frogs. My ribbon snake is 7 years old and eats goldfish and rosy red minnows.She's very easy to keep,but ribbons do not like being handled.Garter snakes are a bit calmer once they have been accustomed to handling.

http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Garter_Snake_Care_Sheet ( you have to register to log in)

http://www.repticzone.com/caresheets/629.html

Answer 8

Garter snakes are high strung and have dietary requirements that most people find difficult to meet.
If you want a nice, small, tame snake, get a corn snake- and get over your hang-up about feeding it mice.

Answer 9

Get a dog.