Just a couple of questions from someone new to snakes!

[Jaded815]

I'm a little worried about my girl, she tends to hide under the substrate and doesn't come out much. She hasn't eaten since Tuesday even though I gave her fish yesterday. I read that garters are usually very active, but she's not, I'm wondering if her tank is too cold. at the petstore they told me the tank only needed to be heated to around 70-72 degrees, but that really seems too cold to me, should it be warmer? I'll go get a new heat lamp and stuff tomorrow...

Also she looks like she's lost a little color, maybe she's going to shed soon? Her eyes are still clear though... She's my first snake, I want to do it right! Thanks for all of the help!

[Light of Dae]

I'm a little worried about my girl, she tends to hide under the substrate and doesn't come out much. She hasn't eaten since Tuesday even though I gave her fish yesterday. I read that garters are usually very active, but she's not, I'm wondering if her tank is too cold. at the petstore they told me the tank only needed to be heated to around 70-72 degrees, but that really seems too cold to me, should it be warmer? I'll go get a new heat lamp and stuff tomorrow...

Also she looks like she's lost a little color, maybe she's going to shed soon? Her eyes are still clear though... She's my first snake, I want to do it right! Thanks for all of the help!

I know My little Radix got a lot more active after I added just a normal 60w lamp and raised my temps from 55f to 65-70f... I know every species likes different temps and I keep forgetting to buy a 100w bulb to make it a wee warmer for my girl. But she is active still. You should have a warm side / basking spot as well as a cool side, places to hide on either end, so she can regulate her temperature on her own.

If Taz seems dull to you she probably will shed within a week, watch for blue cloudy eyes. Have a water dish big enough she can soak if she wants to. I give mine luke warm baths when I notice her go dull (Warmth helps boost metabolism n water helps moisten the skin for a healthy shed) With my Radix both times she shed for me were different, first time she got dull with blue eyes for half a day then Shed. This last time she was dull for a week had cloudy eyes for two days then a day of clear eyes then the next day she shed.


Now I ain't an expert(Like Steve / Guidofatherof5 is) but these are things I've learnt with my little Radix over the past few months.