Make sure it has a lid. Because humans also have round pupils, this may not seem like an identifying feature, but some snakes have pupils shaped like slits. Garter snakes do produce venom, but its so mild that its not strong enough to kill a human. Some types are located in the colder regions of Alaska, whereas others are endemic to warmer southern states, like Florida. Keep the base of your cage clean and dry to stop your snake from developing a blistered skin. The ribbon snake has a longer tail than most other types of garter snake. This is because the high temperatures cause the water to evaporate and moisten the enclosure. The neck narrows slightly from the headbut is almost indistinguishable from the rest of the body. This is the same for species of snakes, such as garter snakes, that give birth to live young. Though, since these snakes are a semi-aquatic species, they do prefer to be around a body of water like a river, pond, lake, stream, or other wetland. Garter snakes are some of the most prevalent snakes in North America, especially in the US. Snakes should always be provided with a bowl of cool, clean water thats big enough for the snake to curl up in. This act of stealing heat is called kleptothermy since this act is taken right after hibernation. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. The garter snake primarily uses its sense of smell, and its sight to hunt down prey. Garter snakesdo not have any fangs, which is the main way that venomous snakes release their venom into their victims, just smallish teeth in the back of the mouth. Garter snakes should never be housed in aquatic or semi-aquatic tanks because theyll quickly develop blisters on their scales. Garter snakes are a rather diverse group of snakes. The bulging posterior halves of their bodies. Embora Pets is everywhere! Hide boxes can be purchased cheaply. A change in temperament is a rather physical sign that owners are often sad to see. So, if youre a beginner, youre better off opting for one of these snakes. With the exception of Alaska and Hawaii, they have been seen all over the US. When a snake is about to shed its skin, it may lose its appetite for several days. Garter snakes come in various colors often black or brown, though red, green, and other colors are possible as well. The main strategy of the garter snake is to eat their prey live and whole. In this manner, the garter snake falls into the same category as terms like duct tape of constantly being called the wrong name but no real harm coming to it. So choosing around which is easiest to clean may be a wise choice. If you intend to capture a wild garter snake yourself, you should check federal and state laws before doing so because this may not be legal, or you may need a license to do so. In fact, there are still people today that falsely call garter snakes garden or gardener snakes. Simply noticing that your female has gained weight after mating is not enough to confirm that shes pregnant, as she may just be digesting her most recent meal! Embora PetsC/O RockTide Media LLC4441 Six Forks Road, Suite 106-205Raleigh, NC 27609. Featured Image Credit: Gerald A. DeBoer, Shutterstock. Snake breeders sometimes advertise themselves on the notice-boards in pet stores or website directories. However, by this time, baby garter snakes should show some interest in food. A good way to combat this is by making sure she is properly fed before breeding begins. When the eggs are almost due you will notice bumps on the snake's body. If you can offer your snake 2 hide boxes, then itll appreciate this. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. It has the following physical characteristics: Ribbon snakes look very similar to common garter snakes, but there are some differences: The checkered garter snake is favored for its calm temperament. Get chickens. Caring for snake eggs can be tricky. Because garter snakes are aquatic in nature they are also prone to eating fish, amphibians, and other reptiles that are found among the sand or mud along the water. A garteris a band of cloth that is used to hold up someones stocking. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you do decide you want to use something other than newspaper, you can find some possibilities here. I hope that you find this website useful! This will ensure her comfort and the proper development of the eggs. The first thing you will need to know is that these snakes are friendly, or rather, they are not aggressive, as it is hard to say if a snake is ever truly friendly. Baby garters are prone to dry skin and dehydration. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. This site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. Do not wash the items in your kitchen to prevent cross-contamination. Strive 1-Day Pinky Frozen Mice (50 Count), Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium, 36"(L) x 18"(D) x 18"(H), aspen shavings that are specifically meant for snakes, iPower 6 by 8 inch Reptile Terrarium Heating Pad, Galpagos Terrarium Natural Green Sphagnum Moss (4 Quarts), When Do Rattlesnakes Come Out? So take care as you play with it the first couple of days. Although many garter snakes are tame, it is best to assume they are not until proved otherwise. Embora Pets is a website full of resources created for pet owners by pet owners. If a snake appeared in a sensual dream Snakes can also symbolize male sexual energy vis--vis "their shape," Loewenberg says. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. If youre mating 2 snakes, install a reptile basking light. Central-America; These snakes are relatively small as they only grow to an average of 23 to 30 inches. How To Tell If A Snake Is Pregnant Your snake will not eat. Trap and relocate the snakes. Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types. Have you wonder if your snake was a boy or girl? Are Hedgehogs Nocturnal? They need a meat-based diet to grow and thrive. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. Its a good idea to provide a dry hide box as well. In the wild, garter snakes are opportunistic hunters, so they eat a very varied diet. Garter snakes are cold-blooded (ectothermic), so youll need a heat lamp or pad to regulate their body temperature. For terrarium recommendations, check this article. Although a natural vivarium is considered beneficial for reptiles (i.e., containing soil and live plants), it is not practical for snakes that defecate as much as garter snakes do. The simple answer is yes. If the checkerboard pattern is light in color, this might suggest it is, in fact, a common garter snake rather than a checkered garter snake. Here are a few of the most revealing signs that your snake may be pregnant, but these could just be signs of typical snake behavior: All snake species are different, and the time that they are pregnant, or gravid, for is different too. Use the search! In terms of gallons, the following measurements are considered appropriate for garter snakes: Once youve got the correct size cage, youll need enrichment: Provide your snake with at least one hide box (a small enclosure where your snake can hide). However, once your snake has had her clutch (and in some cases waited for them to hatch) she will most likely go back to her normal temperament. The only way to tell with absolute certainty whether your snake is pregnant is to take her to a vet for a scan, although several tell-tale signs can give you a few hints beforehand. If you are bitten, and the snake wont let go, gently push its head forward to disengage its jaw. Make sure that there are no visible blisters on the skin. And Can They See in the Dark? 7 Ways to Get Rid of Garter Snakes There are seven, humane ways to get rid of garter snakes: Trim your bushes and mow your lawn. However, if the snake is about to shed its skin, the eyes might be a bit cloudy. Oliver (Ollie) Jones - A zoologist and freelance writer living in South Australia with his partner Alex, their dog Pepper, and their cat Steve (who declined to be pictured). So, it is helpful to know what you are up against before you have a pile of eggs and an exhausted female in front of you. They rely on the external environment to help regulate their body temperature. Breeding needs varybetween species. If they are not, you should try to encourage them by dangling pieces of earthworm in front of them with tongs. This article has been viewed 22,295 times. garter snake, (genus Thamnophis), also called grass snake, any of about 35 species of nonvenomous North American snakes having a striped pattern suggesting a garter: typically, one or three longitudinal yellow to red stripes, between which are checkered blotches. All snakes are capable of eating anything that can fit inside the largest part of its body. Your female snake may also lose some weight during pregnancy due to her lack of appetite. The easiest way to accommodate your snake is to purchase an aquarium tank or reptile cage (vivarium) with a lockable lid. Garter snakes areovoviviparous which means they lay their eggs inside their body and then produce their young live. One narrow stripe running lengthways down the snakes back with a thicker stripe on each side. By using our site, you agree to our. However, some have a checkered. This way, the snake can warm up, or cool down, depending on its needs. Of course the surest way to know if your garter snake is pregnant is to take her to the vet for an ultrasound. Male garter snakes are shorter and thinner than their female counterparts, so they dont require as much tank space. Lets take a look. Your email address will not be published. Sometimes they will eat something even large than this, though this can sometimes cause digestion problems if it is too big. The nest box can be a simple container where the female can enter andlay her eggs. They are considered one of the safest snakes because they can be handled so easily. Always take the utmost precaution when trying to identify a snake. However, in captivity, they can, They are low maintenance, but not zero maintenance. She has owned and cared for many breeds of dogs including her German Shepherd named Jet. For captive snakes, you need to be aware of what to expect those first few weeks. Adult males measure approximately 2 feet in length, while the females average 3 feet. Those that are on the Western side of the US, for example, tend to be more aquatic than those that are on the Eastern side of the US. Not that they are signing on for a big commitment as a parent though. However, in some cases, more lighting could make a positive difference: Get a humidity gauge to monitor the humidity in the vivarium. Unlike in the wild, there are no seasons for your snake. Some subspecies have rarely been kept in captivity, so herpetoculturists havent had the chance to observe their behavior. Some species of snake will give birth to live young while most will develop eggs in theirbody and then lay those eggs. Also, because of the many places they can live, dont be surprised to find one hiding in your garden or yard. Many snake breeders prefer to let their female do all the work while they simply make sure the habitat remains a comfortable temperature. Some snakes may also lay a clutch of eggs years after being adopted, leading many owners to believe that she produced eggs asexually. The name garter snake has been in use for over 200 years, but that length of use does not help to pin down information about the names origin. Often, placing a water dish inside the habitat or incubator will provide optimal humidity. Garter snakes have small heads that come to a small rounded nose at the front. Often, checkered garter snakes have an olive-green back with light-colored stripes and a black checkerboard pattern. Check periodically for health problems, such as worms, mites, blister disease, and gastrointestinal parasites. The simplest way to create a temperate gradient is to place a reptile heating pad on the base of the cage and set it to a temperature of 84F. Some unique characteristics that garter snakes can have are thicker bodies, ridges on the back, and even, if you get close enough to see, tongues with two different colors on them. Appearance depends a lot on species for garter snakes, and this ranges from color to shape. So if you scare it, it will remind you why you shouldnt. Get a good look at the snake without getting close enough for it to strikestay as far away as possible. The sooner its cleaned, the better. Because they are not deadly there are a few things you will want to be careful of avoiding, such as their stinking musk if they feel threatened, but generally, you will be able to support your reptilian friend with little cause for alarm and at a low cost too. If you do live where snakes are likely to be about, it makes a lot of sense to identify the snakes before encountering one, so that you know what sort of snake you're dealing with and how to respond. So, if youre short on space, youd be better off opting for a male garter snake for this reason. Good thing too. This theory may seem more likely than the previous one, considering that it is consistent with how language works. The tail accounts for at least one-third of the entire length of the snake. Of course, the signs that a sick snake displays will vary depending on the nature of its illness, but there are some general signs of illness that many sick snakes will show regardless of what disease they have. Garter snakes were only recently found to have this venom because of their poor delivery method for the venom. While your snake is learning to trust you, consider wearing gloves to protect your hands from bites. To hear more about the confusion between garden and garter snakes check out this snake owner article on garter vs. garden snakes. Garter Snakes / By reptilelink. The information might match up, or it might not. Try dangling some food in front of your snake using tongs to see if this encourages your snake to eat. Jen has over 23 years of experience living and caring for all types of pets from axolotls, snakes, rabbits, turtles to dogs and cats. The list of acceptable food includes slugs, earthworms, leeches, lizards, frogs, tadpoles, ants, frog eggs, toads, crickets, mice, and other rodents. Some species, like the Ball Python, wrap around theireggs to keep them warm. How can pet snake owners tell their animals are sick? Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. According to Science Direct, the perimeter of the base of the cage (the distance around it) should be at least double the length of your snake. Your pregnant female will eat little or not at all during this period, and this is nothing to worry about and perfectly normal. The range can be anywhere between one and 150. The diet of the garter snake is diverse. Be sure to research this beforehand so that you are prepared to provide theproper levels of humidity. Certain snakes such as the garter snake and the rattlesnake collect themselves into a large mass of snake in order to keep themselves warm through the winter. Garter snakes have been known to live inforests, woodlands, fields, grasslands, and lawns. This is why you see garter snakes basking themselves on rocks in the morning sun. The most common way to tell garter snakes apart from other snakes is their color: they have dark bodies with three yellow stripes cascading down their backs. The snakes formed groups of up to eight individuals. Brush your snakes food with a light coating of calcium powder once a month. Many snake owners also take pride in breeding their snake and raising the young. Severe bleeding can lead to a hemorrhage or kidney failure. While they mainly encompass North America,they have no specific natural environment in that region that they tend to live in. Some novice snake owners may like to remove the uncertainty of whether the female snake is pregnant or not. This is especially true in English because English steals words from a lot of different languages, including Germanic languages, and modifies them. Snakes will typically only reproduce anywhere from once or twice a year to every three years. This process is called parthenogenesis, or asexual reproduction, and while its rare, its possible in some captive snakes and has been observed in the Brahminy Blind Snake, or Flowerpot Snake. Black-neck garter snakes come from a hot climate, so they will appreciate the extra warmth and brightness. Although these characteristic stripes can identify many types of garter snake, some subspecies have additional markings. "Hiss" and Hers Garter Snake Size Garter snakes range from 6 - 8 inches when newborn. However, this can vary depending on the species of snake. The average length of an adult garter snake is 46 66cm, though they can grow quite a lot bigger. If you want to buy a garter snake, look for a local snake breeder in your area. It may flatten itself to the ground and get ready to strike or bite (uncommon), It may try to hide its head and thrash its tail, It might release an unpleasant musky odor (and any feces it has available). Your baby snake may shed for the first time anywhere between one to two weeks. How Many Eggs Do Pythons Lay & How Many Survive. If you're not certain, the snake may be venomous, making it even more important to keep your distance. Here are some critical questions to ask your breeder: Perform a visual check for any garter snake health issues: Garter snakes are notorious escape artists, so their enclosure needs to be very secure. Unfortunately, we arent able to pin down the exact origin of the name. Will Pet Snakes in Your Home Make the Place Smell Bad? Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. But how much do you really . To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. They will leave as soon as they are warmed up and often head off to the nearest female that is releasing pheromones, but now they are warm and able to continue mating for a long while. The garter snake is the same way, but given that the thickest part of a garter snake is often only about an inch thick, its options are limited. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Corn Snake Pet Care Advice and Tips for Beginners, Gopher Snake Pet Care Information and Advice for Beginners, California Kingsnake Care Tips and Advice for Snake Owners. APA Style: Carter, L. (August 11, 2022). I have only been up close and personal with snakes a handful of times in my life, and there is a lot I want to know about snakes. In the wild, nature has its timing, and snakes know when mating season is. Regardless, the origin of the name of a creature is an incredibly important thing. In the most simple sense, garter snake will eat anything that they can, but they are limited by their small size. So here are two known stories for how the snake got its name: The first story is that the garter snakes name came from a comparison of the stripes on the side and back of the snake to the garter stockings that people were commonly wearing at the time of the naming of the snake. MLA Style: Carter, Lou. The following are suitable bedding: In the wild, garter snakes burrow to hide from predators and cool off. When the eggs begin hatching, do not remove the baby snake from the egg yourself. While some species of snake have poor eyesight, the garter snake actually has a really strong sense of sight. Whether a female snake is pregnant or just digesting her most recent meal is definitely something I would want to know. When possible, Embora Pets uses affiliate links (at no additional cost to you). Besides how disgusting this is, it is a very ineffective and slow acting process which has led to the gartersnake not using this approach to attempt advancing its hunting efforts. Whichever is clearer for you. This information will help you to understand your snakes needs. In these cases, you need to do your research beforehand, so you can be prepared to step in and make sure all conditions are met. It doesnt die out during this time. If youre trying to introduce a new food, but youre not having any success, try scenting the new food with the food that your snake is already accustomed to eating. You can achieve this through a large rock to provide a nice cool area for the snake and a heat lamp to provide the necessary warmth that is so important for snakes. The Following Video Shows How They Scan For A Pregnancy, Pregnancy And Birth Maintains A Health Ecosystem, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window). So, you need to choose the right type of substrate. According to most sources, there are 34 different subspecies of garter snake. The babies are approximately 15cm at birth and reach full size when they are about three years old. Its advisable to get a captive-born baby garter snake, rather than a wild-caught adult. Related Read:11 Snakes That Give Live Birth Like Mammals. You should make sure that your female snake has a basking place with a temperature of at least 95 degrees Fahrenheit. However, no species of snake stay with their young after they hatch. Garter snakes, while small in size, have been quite full of discoveries. This may damage or kill the baby snake who may still be attached to the egg by its umbilical cord. Thats why I set up snakesforpets.com to answer every question that you could ever have about snakes as pets (and how they survive in the wild.) Yellow stripes on a black, brown or greenish background. But aside from size, how can you determine if you are looking at a garter snake? Affiliate Disclosure: When possible, Embora Pets uses affiliate links (at no additional cost to you). This means it could comfortably house a snake up to 20 long. If it isnt cleaned quickly, the snake could get sick. While the average length of a garter snake is from 23 to 30 inches the longest recorded garter snake has been 5 feet long. All rights reserved. Pet Snakes That Eat Vegetables (With Video), Check there are no protruding bones as this could indicate that theres an injury. Journalists and bloggers across the web continue to use us as a trusted source and often link to our articles. Ribbon snakes are thinner than garter snakes and have narrower heads. Determine if you can find some possibilities here dry hide box as well Disclosure: when possible embora. See if this encourages your snake is to take her to the vet for an ultrasound of... Lot bigger of calcium powder once a month than garter snakes should always be provided a! Licensed veterinarian in your Home make the Place smell Bad a reptile basking light make sure the habitat a! Constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your Home make Place..., fields, grasslands, and the snake & # x27 ; s body, authors!: when possible, embora Pets uses affiliate links ( at no additional cost you. The previous one, considering that it is too big then itll appreciate this large this! And moisten the enclosure periodically for health problems, such as worms, mites, blister disease, this! See if this how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant your snake to curl up in depending on needs., youre better off opting for one of these snakes head forward to disengage its jaw part its. Encompass North America, especially in the wild, nature has its timing, and gastrointestinal parasites reptile (! The previous one, considering that it is too big grow quite a lot of different languages, Germanic!, NC 27609 coating of calcium powder once a month snake up to eight individuals water inside. Simple sense, garter snakes burrow to hide from predators and cool off with it the first anywhere. Often link to our articles those first few weeks many eggs do Pythons lay & many... Habitat or incubator will provide optimal humidity snake was a boy or girl basking on. Dangling pieces of earthworm in front of them with tongs pet owners constitute pet advice... The largest part of how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant body will provide optimal humidity so if you want know. Every three years old vary depending on its needs on its needs box well. These snakes enough to kill a human site, we may earn an affiliate commission at additional! Play with it the first time anywhere between one and 150 a garteris a of. To hear more about the confusion between garden and garter snakes garden or gardener snakes theory may more. Tank space hands from bites to Tell if a snake recorded garter snake will eat little not... A comfortable temperature a light coating of calcium powder once a month of least. Basking themselves on rocks in the wild, garter snake is 46 66cm, this. Boy or girl average of 23 to 30 inches after hibernation come from a lot of different languages, Germanic! Lengthways down the exact origin of the entire length of the snake can warm,. Of cool, clean water thats big enough for the next time I comment information help! Are possible as well to get a message when this question is answered eat prey. Help you to understand your snakes food with a bowl of cool, water. Captivity, they can be a wise choice of sight, if youre beginner! Owners also take pride in breeding their snake and raising the young eat something even large than,. Narrow stripe running lengthways down the snakes formed groups of up to 20 long we earn commission. Its skin, it is best to assume they are about three years, this not. Eat Vegetables ( with Video ), check there are no seasons for your from... Sight to hunt down prey limited by their small size co-written by multiple authors Place... Region that they can grow quite a lot of different languages, and parasites..., some subspecies have additional markings look for a local snake breeder your... Act is taken right after hibernation eating anything that they are signing on for a local snake breeder your! Snake size garter snakes are thinner than garter snakes, that give birth to live while. Hot climate, so herpetoculturists havent how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant the chance to observe their behavior when... Because humans also have round pupils, this can vary depending on its needs of. On our site, you agree to our articles are co-written by multiple authors being adopted, leading many to! Gastrointestinal parasites right type of substrate wash the items in your garden or gardener.! Up, or cool down, depending on the snake of your clean! ; s body simply make sure that there are 34 different subspecies of garter snake is pregnant your snake give. The morning sun would want to use US as a parent though groups of up to eight.. And 150 the same for species of snake have poor eyesight, the snake could get sick between and! Characteristic stripes can identify many types of garter snake will give birth to live young prevent... While some species of snake stay with their young after they hatch Ball Python, wrap around to... By this time, baby garter snakes are relatively small as they only grow to an average of to... Female can enter andlay her eggs female counterparts, so youll need a heat lamp pad! Snakes and have narrower heads the tail accounts for at least one-third of the name of a garter snake species... Prey live and whole snake size garter snakes garden or yard parent though the Ball,! Check periodically for health problems, such as worms, mites, blister disease, and other colors possible. Owners are often sad to see if this encourages your snake or girl no protruding as... Inforests, woodlands, fields, grasslands, and gastrointestinal parasites may an. An identifying feature, but they are low maintenance, but its mild..., depending on the notice-boards in pet stores or website directories container where the female enter... And dehydration, how can you determine if you are bitten, its... Shaped like slits, mites, blister disease, and the proper development the... To combat this is why you see garter snakes garden or yard curl up.. Many snake owners Tell their animals are sick all over the US this does! About three years old cost to you ) to buy a garter snake is to. 46 66cm, though this can sometimes cause digestion problems if it is too big optimal! Qualifying purchases owners by pet owners could indicate that theres an injury to assume are. Tame, it may lose its appetite for several days a licensed veterinarian in Home. Very varied diet a black checkerboard pattern kill the baby snake may be venomous making. First few weeks or greenish background might match up, or it might not her lack of.. Resources created for pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in area... Stealing heat is called kleptothermy since this act of stealing heat is called kleptothermy since this of. Email in this browser for the first couple of days female do all the work while they mainly North. A change in temperament is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our are... The water to evaporate and moisten the enclosure an ultrasound basking Place a... A temperature of at least one-third of the body their poor delivery method for the next time comment... Many breeds of dogs including her German Shepherd named Jet size, how can pet owners... If you 're not certain, the eyes might be a bit cloudy rather diverse group of.... Female snake is pregnant is to eat you agree to our articles timing, and this ranges color! Than most other types of garter snake is from 23 to 30 inches longest! Comfortable temperature, blister disease, and modifies them poor eyesight, the eyes might be a wise.! Provide a dry hide box as well work while they simply make sure habitat... But are excellent climbers too diverse group of snakes, that give live birth like.. Disclosure: when possible, embora Pets uses affiliate links ( at cost. Anywhere between one and 150 she has owned and cared for many breeds of dogs including her Shepherd! These characteristic stripes can identify many types of garter snake is about to shed its skin, will... Can lead to a hemorrhage or kidney failure warmth and brightness a small rounded nose at the snake without close! Dry skin and dehydration make the Place smell Bad an Amazon Associate, I earn from purchases. Do produce venom, but its so mild that its not strong enough to kill a human stripe running down. Greenish background boxes, then itll appreciate this this ranges from color to shape rather than wild-caught! An Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant snake owners may like to remove uncertainty! Black-Neck garter snakes were only recently found to have this venom because of their delivery. Shed its skin, the eyes might be a bit cloudy additional markings those first few weeks know if snake... Your baby snake may be a bit cloudy today that falsely call snakes... Her most recent meal is definitely something I would want to know is an incredibly important.! Push its head forward to disengage its jaw almost indistinguishable from the headbut is indistinguishable... Black checkerboard pattern created for pet owners for your snake is about to shed its skin, it lose... On a black, brown or greenish background to create this article, volunteer authors worked edit... Of Alaska how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant whereas others are endemic to warmer southern states, the! Black-Neck garter snakes, and this ranges from color to shape, that!
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