How to Setup Terrarium for Checkered Garters?

[ConcinusMan]

You have no idea. I have gotten some of the rudest private messages(here and on gartersnake groups) about me NOT treating the mites and ignoring the problem. That putting them in a cage that would increast the mites. No where in any posts I did I state I was not treating the snakes. I want to setup a terrarium WHILE they are being treated. Have it ready when I decide it is safe to put them back together. They need something more than plastic boxes on a metal rack. I cannot give Texas in Oregon but I can fake it...nicely.

The reason behind the natural design is the new Reptiles Magazine has article on Eastern Garters and gives a natural setup..soil, plants, real wood, etc. I have this for my frogs and a native rubber boa, but not my garters.

I HATE dealing with mites and do not wish anything to help these damn things breed..like soil or real wood. I think I still have mites because of the Organic way I have been dealing with it...

The only truly effective way was already mentioned. Foot the bill for that stuff and your mites will be gone. I would highly recommend that you make sure the mites are gone before you bring anything in the house that is going in the new setup and also treat the inanimate objects and substrate going into the new setup. I wouldn't use actual soil but natural setups for frogs has worked for me. I even had a rubber boa with leaves, sand, moss and wood from outside (until the WA dept of wildlife busted me and took the boa which is on the state threatened species list) but those were cool environments for the most part and I experienced no problems with bacteria or mold.

I can see how people might have misunderstood and scolded you for the mite problem. It likely came with the checkereds. I've never got mites or any other disease from Oregon or WA wild reptiles. Only from pet stores or breeders stock.

I'm sure you'll get it under control. Meanwhile, you got a good idea how to go about setting up a natural looking garter setup without the problems. Checkereds should be no problem at all. They are perfectly happy with a dry environment which makes it easier to put natural things in their viv.

[OregonHerpaholic]

I'm sorry, if I came across as forceful about treating for mites, but from your first post it wasn't entirely clear whether you were treating at all. - I apologize for my assumption

Your replies were nothing compared to a few private messages(most were very helpful). I am always thinking of the next thing to create. I create terrariums but plan years in advance. yes, I am treating for mites, but I want to create a "happier" environment once the problems are gone.

Foot the bill for that stuff and your mites will be gone.

I even had a rubber boa with leaves, sand, moss and wood from outside (until the WA dept of wildlife busted me and took the boa which is on the state threatened species list) .

I can see how people might have misunderstood and scolded you for the mite problem. It likely came with the checkereds.

Strange how different laws are from state to state. Oregon it is legal to own most native snakes(rubber boas and garters are not even controlled) as long as they are not bought, sold, or exchanged. But there are many herps(amphibians mostly) that are illegal to keep but cannot survive here.

The mites came from either a few wildcaught garter babies(all died because of mites) or my gopher snake - I let people borrow her to show difference between Native rattlesnake and gopher snake..GOOD possiblity of getting mites from her being NEXT to the rattlesnake. The checkereds are worse off because they were placed in closet for cooling and I did not check on them daily like the other snakes.

BUT, I STILL WILL BE SETTING UP A MORE NATURAL ENCLOSURE - after the mites are long gone!!!!!

Billie