Garter terrarium

RAD House · 01-08-17, 05:55 PM

Many months I moved my garters into a 40 gallon exoterra that I got off craigslist for a great deal. I made my own custom back ground and a little steam and pool with a pump to circulate the water. It took many adjustments to make it work the way I wanted. Also it took several iterations to find plants that would thrive, but I am finally in a place that I am pretty happy with the results. I thought I would share the results, with the current residence included. The last photo is a picture of the terrarium I just planted to grow out, but I am not sure what I will be putting in there.

Ilovemyroyal❤ · 01-08-17, 05:59 PM

That's really cool right now royals cage is pretty simple I have about 3 hides right now for her. One on the hot side one on the cooler side n one in middle. I only had her for about 5 days. And she already use to my smell witch is great but I just want to know how do you know if she's happy or ready to eat again she isn't that big probably not eve. A year old maybe few months just looking for some info I should know to being a new snake mama

trailblazer295 · 01-08-17, 06:05 PM

It looks amazing that will be one happy garter for sure.

RAD House · 01-08-17, 06:15 PM

Thanks Trail, there is actually a second garter sticking its nose out of the left side of that hide. He is melanistic, so a little hard to see. When my eastern black neck is of size he will also be added.

TRD · 01-08-17, 06:29 PM

Looking good. Happy snakes

I like live plants in terra. I have only arid/desert species so getting plants to thrive and tolerate a snake using it as it's basking spot can be challenging. Though I had a lot of success with Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra) lately... it's actually growing very nicely under warm and dry conditions. Prior to it I tried Crassula Ovata, but it just couldn't manage the light and temperatures unfortunately and started to drop leaves. Most other Succulents seem to not like the conditions in 1 way or another either, mostly related to the inhabitants and/or they stay low and add little to the terra as such...

RAD House · 01-09-17, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRD

Looking good. Happy snakes

I like live plants in terra. I have only arid/desert species so getting plants to thrive and tolerate a snake using it as it's basking spot can be challenging. Though I had a lot of success with Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra) lately... it's actually growing very nicely under warm and dry conditions. Prior to it I tried Crassula Ovata, but it just couldn't manage the light and temperatures unfortunately and started to drop leaves. Most other Succulents seem to not like the conditions in 1 way or another either, mostly related to the inhabitants and/or they stay low and add little to the terra as such...

I am actual having issues getting a elephant plant to grow in my office right now. I seem to have no luck with succulents. I also was looking to set up a desert bioactive enclosure for my milk/king mix, but have given up on that for now.

TRD · 01-09-17, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MesoCorney

I am actual having issues getting a elephant plant to grow in my office right now. I seem to have no luck with succulents. I also was looking to set up a desert bioactive enclosure for my milk/king mix, but have given up on that for now.

The elephant bush actually does like water, I water mine every 4 days (and spray it slightly every 2 days) and good temperatures (~27 C-ish). At that temp my RH is around 30% and after watering hits about 40-45%. Mine is under full, fake, sunshine (full spectrum LED, which is actually quite powerful) and it grows like crazy. The soil has to drain fast, mines 30-40% sand mix with some cactus potting soil without fertilizer. If the soil retains too much water, you kill the roots with giving it water because they rot away. If it's too cold, the plant shouldn't get any water. You can see on the leaves - if they wrinkle a little you need to increase the frequency of watering (f.e. if giving every 7 days, increase to 6). Do not soak the plant, just increase frequency.

Most people state not to water the plant and let it dry out between watering, keep out of direct light, and so on. This never worked well for me. It comes from Africa, it should be hot and sunny.

I have 2 of them in my MBK terra.

bigsnakegirl785 · 01-08-17, 07:19 PM

Nice set up! I've heard nothing but good things about bioactive.

RAD House · 01-08-17, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

Nice set up! I've heard nothing but good things about bioactive.

Thank you. If I am honest once you get them going they are great, but it does take quite a bit more work to get them functional compared to a traditional set up.