my 10 year old garter passed on

[ConcinusMan]

I think the age limit is highly variable depending on species/subspecies (Genetics) and it seems like the slower growing yet larger (max size) garters tend to live longer. Also, one more thing, I only produced 8 litters (about 170 young) in all that time, and never two years in a row. Easier on the female that way. My cool-down period varied from at least 3 months, but up to 5 months. I say "cool down period" because many years (when not breeding that year) that's really all it amounted to. I wouldn't call it full out brumating. Just temps in the 55-65 degree range and about an 8 hour, less intense daylight period. And I agree about the UV. At the time I got them, UV lighting for reptiles was kind of a new concept and it was the general concensus that snakes don't need it. (same sources that claimed sirtalis' only live 10-15 years) It was mainly for desert lizards and tortises. But I figured these snakes love to bask in the sun part of the day so... They got full-spectrum UVA/UVB florescent (15watts for 2 square feet, 12 inches above them) as their ambient indoor light source in addition to being placed outside occasionally in a special sun/basking cage I made for them in the summer. Of course I always provided a way to get out of the light too. Calcium/vitamin/mineral supplements were used very sparingly, and the photoperiod was such as to mimic the local cycles.(SW WA State)