my 10 year old garter passed on

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I am curious about how much is actually known about the lifespan of a very healthy garter... I have heard from multiple rather reliable people that they had, or currently have a garter live or living to almost 20 years. Many, many other snakes are able to live to at least 20 and closer to 30, I don't see why it would not be realistic for a very healthy, captive bred thamnophis fed a just-right, well balanced diet that does not contract some sort of illness or parasite!

Sorry to hear of your loss... I have 7 year old kingsnake who was my first pet snake and I love him to pieces, and even though he has MANY years left ahead, I don't like to think about how old he already is!

[Mommy2many]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please share some stories & pictures. I have 2 W/C garters and have no idea of their age. I think all we can do is care for them the best we can and let nature and fate do the rest.

[Stefan-A]

I am curious about how much is actually known about the lifespan of a very healthy garter... I have heard from multiple rather reliable people that they had, or currently have a garter live or living to almost 20 years. Many, many other snakes are able to live to at least 20 and closer to 30, I don't see why it would not be realistic for a very healthy, captive bred thamnophis fed a just-right, well balanced diet that does not contract some sort of illness or parasite!

I'm willing to bet that a significant number of those 15+ garters are simply cases of owners-forgot-when-they-got-them.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Well, in 10-20 years we will most likely have better answers to this question... I don't think enough people have been keeping captive bred garters for long enough to get a good estimate!

[charles parenteau]

Sorry for your lost ! 10 years is very good!!!
This female eastern is around 10 years old and still alive in september 09.
She is from the first blais flame lineage .