gar·ter snake/ˈɡärdər snāk/[1]
Can Garter Snake Hurt You?
Garter snakes won’t bite you unless provoked. They won’t chase you. They are really very shy and are not looking for a fight! Garter snakes do produce a very weak venom, but the venom is so mild that it rarely has any effect on humans (it can cause light swelling in those who are allergic, however).[2]
Why Is It Called A Garter Snake?
Their common name, “garter,” was inspired by the stripes that run parallel down their bodies, from head to tail, which somewhat resemble garter belts. In addition, there are a few other species of snakes, commonly found in gardens and yards, that people refer to as “garden snakes,” Holbrook said.[3]
Are Garter Snakes Good To Have In Your Yard?
Many people report significant benefits to having garter snakes in their yards; they are seemingly a natural pest control. Garter snakes feed on earthworms, snails, grasshoppers, ants, crickets, and occasionally, rodents. Many of the insects garter snakes feed on are the ones feasting in our gardens.[4]
Is A Garter Snake A Snake?
Detailed Description. Most adult Common Gartersnakes are about 18-26 inches (46-66 cm) in total length, with a record length of 54 inches (137.2 cm). These are slender snakes with three thin light-colored stripes running the length of the body. The color pattern on the body can be highly variable.[5]
How Old Is A 14′ Garter Snake
How Big Do Garter Snakes Get? (Size + Growth Chart) – Pet Keenpetkeen.com › Blog Posts[6]
How Big Is A 1 Year Old Garter Snake?
At birth most garter snakes are less than 6 inches long. They grow little from birth in the late summer until their first spring. From that point, they grow fairly fast, reaching a young adult length of almost 2 feet by the end of their first year.[7]
How Old Do Garter Snakes Get?
Females give birth to a litter of 10 to 40 live young in summer. Young are five to nine inches long at birth. Garter snakes typically live 3 to 4 years.[8]
How Big Is A Full Grown Garter Snake?
The scales of the gartersnake are keeled (a raised ridge is found along each scale) and the belly is yellow and pale green. Adults range in size between 18 and 26 inches in length, but can measure up to 42 inches long.[9]
How To Catch A Common Garter Snake
Use a net or forked stick to capture the garter snake. You can trap them underneath until they finish thrashing and are subdued. Try catching a garter snake by the tip of its tail. This may be harder, since they can slip out of your hands, but it’s possible to catch a garter snake by hand.[10]
Can You Pick Up A Common Garter Snake?
A Word of Warning
Garter snakes are relatively harmless, beneficial predators of rodents and insect pests. However, do not pick it up. Alarmed, it may give you a little nip (harmless but still a bite). Learn to identify snake species as well.[11]
Can You Catch A Garter Snake And Keep It?
Garters make good pets, mainly because they are active during the day. They are relatively small snakes and, as long as there is an adult nearby, they are easy for children to hold. Experts recommend you shouldn’t catch a garter in the wild to keep as a pet. It could be against the law.Jun 17, 2019[12]
How Do You Lure A Garter Snake Out Of Hiding?
You may be surprised to learn that many gardeners go to great lengths to try to attract garter snakes! You can try to entice them by providing them with hiding places (stacked rocks, sheets of plywood, or stumps) and fresh water sources (such as shallow fountains or ground-level birdbaths).[13]
What Attracts Garter Snake?
If you want to attract garter snakes, then you need to provide them with: Shelter – log and rock piles are great options. A source of water – even a mini-pond works great. And food – let them eat the pests.[14]
What Is Garter Snake Musking
The act of musking is a defensive posture that snakes take (some more than others) as a means to force away potential predators.Mar 14, 2020[15]
How Does Snake Musk Smell?
Different species of snakes produce musk with smells that are unique to them. However, all types of snake musk have a uniting feature; they smell horrible. The smell is often described as being similar to rotten eggs or rotten produce. Oftentimes, snakes mix their musk with feces before secreting it at attackers.[16]
What Kind Of Snake Smells Like A Skunk?
The Eastern hognose snake (above) is often mistaken by Waco-area gardeners to be the venomous cottonmouth, which is known to possess a skunklike odor. The good news about snakes is that a gardener with an acute sense of smell might be able to smell it before she steps on it.[17]
What Does A Garter Snake Smell Like?
Garter snakes (genus Thamnophis) emit odors that are overwhelmingly cloying. Rattlesnakes (genera Sistrurus and Crotalus) emit odors that are intensely musky and strong. While the odors that these reptiles give off are usually deterrents to human beings, snakes sometimes employ them for purposes beyond self-defense.[18]
Should You Remove Garter Snakes From Your Yard?
Garter snakes are relatively harmless, beneficial predators of rodents and insect pests. However, do not pick it up. Alarmed, it may give you a little nip (harmless but still a bite).[19]
What Species Of Garter Snake Lives In Florida
Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) Eastern Gartersnakes are found throughout most of mainland Florida, with the possible exception of the Gulf coast region from eastern Wakulla County in the panhandle south to Hernando County in the central peninsula.Sep 8, 2021[20]
Where Can You Find Garter Snakes In Florida?
You can find them living in forests, marshes, swamps and brush-filled areas where there is plenty of cover. These snakes generally prefer to live near water. It’s not uncommon to find garters at the edges of rivers, streams, ponds and lakes.Jun 5, 2022[21]
What Kind Of Garter Snake Do I Have?
There are a few key characteristics that can be used to identify many types of Garter Snakes. Every garter snake has keeled scales and small heads with large eyes. Many species are brown or black in base color. They then have a series of lighter stripes running down the length of their body.[22]
How Do You Tell If A Snake Is A Garter Snake?
Common garter snakes are highly variable in color pattern. They typically have three light stripes that run along the length of their body on a black, brown, gray, or olive background. The stripes can be white, yellow, blue, greenish, or brown.[23]
Is There A Poisonous Snake That Looks Like A Garter Snake?
Ribbon snakes resemble the closely-related eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), however ribbon snakes are generally more slender, have unpatterned lip scales, and the lateral stripes are found on scale rows 3 and 4 (in garter snakes they are on rows 2 and 3). They have a plain yellowish belly, and keeled scales.[24]
How Often Should You Feed A Garter Snake?
While captive garter snakes can be fed predominantly frozen thawed rodents, occasionally they can be offered other prey items such as earthworms, fresh whole feeder fish, frogs, or toads. Adult snakes can be fed once every 7-10 days. Immature, growing, or pregnant snakes should be fed every 4-5 days.Dec 15, 2017[25]
What Do Garter Snakes Mostly Eat?
Diet. Beane said that garter snakes “feed mostly on fishes, amphibians, and earthworms; other prey are occasionally taken.” The snakes immobilize their prey with their sharp teeth and quick reflexes. The saliva of some species contains a mild neurotoxin that causes paralysis, making small prey easier to swallow.[26]
How Often Do Baby Garter Snakes Eat?
Worm eaters should be fed twice weekly, fish eaters can be fed every five to six days or so, and mouse eaters every week. Very young garter snakes can eat a bit more frequently than that: they could probably eat every second day on an earthworm diet.Mar 26, 2014[27]
How Much Water Do Garter Snakes Need?
Garters love water and will often soak, especially before shedding. A water area large enough for swimming is ideal but not necessary. Garters will sometimes defecate in water, so it is important to check and change frequently. I prefer to use 16 ounce disposable deli cups, which are replaced at least once a week.Jul 8, 2014[28]
When Did Garter Snake Get Classifeid Venomus
Garter snake – Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org › wiki › Garter_snake[29]
Are Garter Snakes Considered Venomous?
No, they’re not considered poisonous to humans. With the exception of a few species, which are capable of causing anaphylaxis in certain individuals that are bitten due to their mild venom but are still not considered dangerous to humans.[30]
Resources
[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garter_snake
[2]https://www.almanac.com/garter-snakes-gardeners-friend
[3]https://hellohomestead.com/why-garter-snakes-and-other-garden-snakes-are-a-good-sign/
[4]https://www.floofinsandco.com/pet-safety/garter-snakes-friend-or-foe/
[5]https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/florida-snake-id/snake/common-gartersnake/
[6]https://petkeen.com/garter-snakes-size-growth-chart/
[7]https://wildlife.unl.edu/pdfs/garter-snakes-in-around-home.pdf
[8]https://www.chesapeakebay.net/S%3D0/fieldguide/critter/eastern_garter_snake
[9]https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Fact-Sheets/Common-Gartersnake
[10]https://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Garter-Snake
[11]https://www.almanac.com/garter-snakes-gardeners-friend
[12]https://animals.howstuffworks.com/snakes/garter-snakes.htm
[13]https://www.wikihow.com/Catch-a-Garter-Snake
[14]https://www.growingwithnature.org/garter-snakes/
[15]https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DCdBGp9c3E38
[16]https://a-z-animals.com/blog/discover-the-surprising-smell-venomous-snakes-in-the-u-s-produce-when-frightened/
[17]https://wacotrib.com/entertainment/living/snakes-in-your-backyard-its-ok-to-leave-them-alone/article_74959a8a-9daa-5998-b573-f8a9433ee854.html
[18]https://animals.mom.com/snakes-let-off-odor-10503.html
[19]https://www.almanac.com/garter-snakes-gardeners-friend
[20]https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/florida-snake-id/snake/common-gartersnake/
[21]https://a-z-animals.com/blog/garter-snakes-in-florida/
[22]https://www.everythingreptiles.com/types-of-garter-snakes/
[23]http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Thamnophis_sirtalis/
[24]https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/thasau.htm
[25]https://www.petmd.com/reptile/species/garter-snake
[26]https://www.livescience.com/44072-garter-snake.html
[27]http://www.gartersnake.info/care/feeding.php
[28]https://reptilesmagazine.com/garter-snake-care-sheet/
[29]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garter_snake
[30]https://www.terminix.com/blog/education/are-garter-snakes-poisonous/