Garter Snakes
Garter Snakes (also known as grass snakes) are found worldwide expect Antarctica. There are many different species of garter snakes.
Common garter snake (left)-University of Maryland, San Francisco garter snake (right)
Description
They vary in size and colour depending on the areas they are found in. Brown, black, green and sometimes grey, garter snakes usually have a prominent stripe or two, red or yellow, on their sides. They are not poisonous but will bite you if they feel threatened. They range in length from two to three feet. If you pick them up they leave an awful nasty odour on your skin and clothes, however they won’t hurt or bite you. If they did bite you, they have no venom.
Eastern black garter snake (left), Checkered garter snake (right)-photos John O. Hollister
Habitat
They usually live near ponds, creeks and streams or any other sources of water. They are found in long grass around fences and houses. Be careful if you are trimming these grasses as the sting from the weed whacker can kill snakes. Having one of these guys in your garden is a bonus. Especially if you are a west coast gardener and have a problem with slugs. They love slugs and snails. They are active most of the day but rarely seen in the heat of the day and find somewhere to hide for this period. Although they eat worms, they are still a gardeners friend. Mating occurs in early spring or fall depending on species. Females have up to 40 live babies at one time. Most garter snakes hibernate during the winter. The hibernators band together in large groups and emerge again in the spring.
Two striped garter snake (left)-San Diego Natural History Museum, Mass of snakes (right)-Nature Photos Manitoba, Canada
Diet
All of these snakes eat slugs, snails, small insects, small frogs, toads, worms, leeches, mosquito larvae and small fishes. The snakes in turn are eaten by birds, wild dogs, cats and occasionally rodents.
How to Attract Them to your Garden
Snakes like heat so a good idea is to mound up some dirt and soak it thoroughly. Cover this with a black plastic garbage bag secure to the ground with dirt or stones. This makes a humid environment for the snakes and they will stay. I would advise making this around your garden since snakes will eat lots of bugs. They can be seen basking in the sun near the shelters they approve.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Hi Traci
I think a snake makes a wonderfull pet and i am very happy about my pet snake ,so I would say YES!!! They make exilint pets !
Hope You enjoy your snake
from
****Smiley****
May 20th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Thanks so much for iventing this website it has helped me alot and has teached me alot about garter snakes!
Now me and Flika ( pet garter snake ) will be much more happier thanks to you guys!!!
October 19th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
I found a snake and i was wondering is it a good pet and can it stay in a aquariame ? And does it live in water or does it need water?
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Do garter snakes like the checkered Garter or the San Francisco Garter make good pets?
March 30th, 2007 at 11:02 am
I found two garters and I kept them as pets.I have gotten them to eat pinkies and fuzzies.I was wondering about the insect/bug part.Do they Eatt crickets and are they good for them?
October 5th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
I have a pretty small garden snake. now I need to know what do I feed it?
October 2nd, 2006 at 4:29 pm
Thank you for inventing this website. FROM april,
Thank you for this websit because i love snakes and wanted to find out more about mine. FROM AMBER
THANK YOU!
October 2nd, 2006 at 4:24 pm
Im glad there was this website so we could find out what kind of snake we had. FROM AMBER,I love snakes so i’m glad that I found this website. FROM APRIL L.
THANK YOU!
August 7th, 2006 at 12:22 pm
Help,
I live in a condo….in the recent weeks there have been 1 or perhaps 2 snakes found in the hallway to the building. So far not in the actual homes. What works to keep them away. Why would this be the first time this has happened in 15+ years. The snake is black with orange-red stripes. Thank you ever so much.
August 5th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
I am a west coast gardener with a slug problem. If I bought a garter snake at a pet store, would it stay in the yard if let go? I made the mound you sugjested.