Diary of a snake (and her girl)...

[EasternGirl]

Two things: Selena is eating every day and she is not defacating a lot. Her middle looks quite fat now..and I'm worried that she is not passing her food properly. What do you guys think?

Also...Richard, I was reading your posts to the new guy...the one that had the SF garter in the tub...I'm starting to worry that Selena is not active enough. She hides most of the time...she comes out maybe once a day and explores. Do you think it is just because she is still scared? Perhaps she doesn't have enough light. I'm going to the pet store today to see about a 20 gallon tank...and if I can afford it, I might buy a flourescent lamp. I need to move her into my bedroom when I get her in the tank because she is in the dining room now...and there won't be enough room. Unfortunately, the lighting in my bedroom is poor. She will probably need more light. What do you think?

[ConcinusMan]

It certainly can't hurt. They often perk up with more light and a natural spectrum. Still, it could be she's still nervous, and every snake is different. I have CB radixes that are active and I have others that are reclusive. Some are really friendly, others are downright mean. It's up to you to get to know them as individuals and adapt to make them as comfortable as possible but it doesn't necessarily mean they will like you for it. Some individuals just don't like human interaction.

At this point I wouldn't worry so much that she's not active. She's eating and that's good.

[EasternGirl]

Well, as I'm sure you will see, I finally got her a nice enclosure. She seems to be happier in it, and is moving around much more. I moved her into my bedroom, which is quite warm...so I don't think she will need heat from underneath. I'm going to buy a flourescent lamp for her so that she has more light. She ate another pinkie today!

[guidofatherof5]

Well, as I'm sure you will see, I finally got her a nice enclosure. She seems to be happier in it, and is moving around much more. I moved her into my bedroom, which is quite warm...so I don't think she will need heat from underneath. I'm going to buy a flourescent lamp for her so that she has more light. She ate another pinkie today!

Please consider some type of heat source. I recommend under tank heating but this is subject to personal opinions.
Allowing your snake to self regulate its own temp is natural for them. At times they want to be heated up and at time they want to be cooler. I think the additional heat can aid in digestion and help fight off illnesses.
I find my snakes moving from the warm side to the cooler side all the time or vis versa. This allows them to decide were they are the most comfortable or when additional heat is required.
Just my opinion.

[EasternGirl]

So you don't think it will be too much if I put the heating pad under the same side as the basking lamp? It gets so warm in my room sometimes...I just don't want her to get too hot or burn herself...she likes to bury herself under the substrate and lie at the bottom on the glass sometimes...I worry she'll get burned.

[guidofatherof5]

So you don't think it will be too much if I put the heating pad under the same side as the basking lamp? It gets so warm in my room sometimes...I just don't want her to get too hot or burn herself...she likes to bury herself under the substrate and lie at the bottom on the glass sometimes...I worry she'll get burned.

I may have misunderstood something. I didn't know you had a basking light. You don't need both.

[EasternGirl]

Oh, okay...good. I think she is warm enough. Oops...my cat just found the snake! Luckily he can't get to her...but I don't think she wants a big gray fuzzy thing starring at her through the glass! Lol...

[guidofatherof5]

Be very careful. Cats cause many injuries and deaths to garter snakes in and outside the house.
Cats like to stand/lay on the screen tops.
Please be careful.

[ConcinusMan]

Yes, definitely be careful! If you have a cat it might be best to go with bottom heat and florescent light, and make sure it's absolutely cat proof. A curious cat can spell disaster by knocking over basking lamps, and myriad of other mischievous actions.

The kind of setup I showed you in my video is not good for households with cats. You would need the top screen to be locked down secure and use bottom heat. No heat lamps on top! Otherwise there is a real risk to your household and the snake. Don't underestimate a cat's strength and ability when he is intent on getting to the snake.

Rather than try to keep the cat out of the room, it's best to have a setup where it doesn't matter if the cat gets in.

[EasternGirl]

Wow...I had no idea. I have three cats, actually. So far, they haven't expressed much interest in Selena....they are all old cats. The enclosure I got for her has a slide lid that locks...so I'm not worried about that. I will lock the cats out of my room if I leave. But now...I should not have the basking dome lamp and the flourescent lamp on top? If I'm sitting in the room with her...then I can use the basking lamp, right? She likes to lie under it. So at night..and when I am not around, I should use underneath heat? What kind specifically?