Garter Snake Size Garter snakes range from 6 - 8 inches when newborn. If you can offer your snake 2 hide boxes, then itll appreciate this. The greatest risk from a garter snake bite would be the risk of infection if you didnt clean the wound properly. Common garter snakes do not have this bold line separating the back and the stomach. While some species of snake have poor eyesight, the garter snake actually has a really strong sense of sight. Depending on the species of snake, your female may be pregnant even though she hasnt mated with a male. By using our site, you agree to our. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Caring for snake eggs can be tricky. Check periodically for health problems, such as worms, mites, blister disease, and gastrointestinal parasites. Once your snake has settled in and has been handled a few times, its less likely to musk you. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. 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. If its small enough to fit inside the garter snakes body and weak enough for the garter to overpower, then its a potential meal for the garter snake. Do not exceed this amount as a calcium overdose can be toxic. They can store sperm for up to five years! Whichever is clearer for you. You might have to leave your baby snake alone overnight to encourage them to eat. Make sure that there are no visible blisters on the skin. Garter snakes are a rather diverse group of snakes. This site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. Proper levels of humidity vary depending on the region of origin and species of your snake. Once the baby snakes are settled into their individual containers, leave them alone for a few days and allow them to acclimate to their new environment. 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 neck narrows slightly from the headbut is almost indistinguishable from the rest of the body. If the creature is able to resist and fight back, then the garter snake has been seen to use constriction to kill the creature first, but it is rarely necessary so long as they are able to successfully sneak up on their prey. Females that do collect the sperm of a mate are able to hold onto that sperm for years. While your snake is learning to trust you, consider wearing gloves to protect your hands from bites. If your snake becomes dehydrated, it will be unable to shed its skin effectively. If it isnt cleaned quickly, the snake could get sick. This leads to troves of garter snakes being in the same area which is super convenient because they dont have to go searching in the wilderness to find each other instead. Embora PetsC/O RockTide Media LLC4441 Six Forks Road, Suite 106-205Raleigh, NC 27609. 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? 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. 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. Although they may become nervous in a new environment, garter snakes settle down after a couple of weeks, and their temperament can become very relaxed. 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. This can be tricky becausesome female snakes might show signs of pregnancy right away while others take longer to show. There are many ways to tell when your precious snake is expecting. They do this in order to steal the body heat of the other snakes that think they are mating with a female. If you dont have a female snake that cares for the eggs, here are a few factors you need to control to care for your eggs: An adequate nest box will help ensure that the clutch of eggs stays protected and maintains the proper temperatures and humidity levels. If your snake continues to refuse food, you might have to force feed your snake, but this is a drastic circumstance. Once the female lays her eggs, avoid moving them so that no damage is caused to the young. All snakes are capable of eating anything that can fit inside the largest part of its body. If you have a snake, like a Ball Python, that is naturally inclined to care for her clutch, one of the first things you need to decide is whether or not you are going to let your female snake do the job of warming the eggs and keeping them at the appropriate temperatures. This generally something that they will have to make adjustments for in their diet. The lack of specialized senses may be another reason that garter snakes are considered more harmless than other snakes. If it's cooler she'll wrap tighter around her eggs. However, no species of snake stay with their young after they hatch. The most popular garter snakes to keep as pets are: These subspecies are known to have a relaxed temperament, feeding well, and thriving in captivity. This pool of mating snakes has been called a mating ball. Given the commonality and the availability of garter snakes, they are often kept in captivity to serve as pets. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Like all animals, if the garter snake is threatened than it will attack whatever is threatening it. Severe bleeding can lead to a hemorrhage or kidney failure. Naturally, since they dont have to take care of their young, there isnt too much of an issue with the number of babies that they have so long as they have the energy to keep up with the pregnancy process. For example, because Burmese Pythons typically stay with their eggs and warm them, they need a space large enough to wrap themselves around their eggs. Know what pit vipers look like. A gravid female's appetite will increase dramatically (I feed gravid females every other day) until a week or so before giving birth, when she'll quit eating entirely. Use snake repellent. The snake will lie down on its back. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. It can cope with a wide range of temperatures so it can be spotted in most parts of America. Also, because of the many places they can live, dont be surprised to find one hiding in your garden or yard. All rights reserved. The only way to be certain that your female is pregnant is to take her to your local vet for an X-ray or ultrasound, although other signs may give you hints beforehand. The big reason you dont want to scare the snake is that when garter snakes are scared,they will release a stinky liquid that is supposed to scare off predators. Its advisable to get a captive-born baby garter snake, rather than a wild-caught adult. The snake will stay in sunny areas - this will be the case as they are warming their pregnant body up. Garter Snake - Thamnophis. Check periodically for health problems, such as worms, mites, blister disease, and gastrointestinal parasites. The range can be anywhere between one and 150. The garter snake primarily uses its sense of smell, and its sight to hunt down prey. Is your snake fat? Today we cover everything you need to know to take care of them. If the temperature is not properly controlled, your snake may experiencebirth defects or die before it has hatched. This can include up to 25 male snakes. Most female snakes will become thicker in the area from their midpoint to their vent. So for the garter snake as a species,understanding the origin of its name gives it more identity. Garter snakes are ovoviviparous which means they lay their eggs inside their body and then produce their young live. Be sure that the portions you are feeding your mice are small enough and do not leave a large lump in your snakes body. 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. Things to Know Before Getting a Garter Snake, Common Garter Snake (T. Sirtalis) vs. Ribbon Snake (T. Sauritus) Identification, How to Identify a Checkered Garter Snake (T. Marcianus), Questions to Ask the Seller About The Snake, How to Check a Garter Snake for Health Problems. In a male that probe will normally go about five scales, whereas in a female, they can sometimes have a little papule . Typically, snakes are solitary creatures that dont really get along when in close quarters. 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! Journalists and bloggers across the web continue to use us as a trusted source and often link to our articles. Will Pet Snakes in Your Home Make the Place Smell Bad? Garter snakes have been known to live inforests, woodlands, fields, grasslands, and lawns. Garter snakes should never be housed in aquatic or semi-aquatic tanks because theyll quickly develop blisters on their scales. Your snake needs a water bowl. They dont exactly have feelings after all. Its also best to avoid handling during this time, not only to prevent causing her unnecessary stress, but your snake will also likely become more aggressive while pregnant. Survival is more important than staying solitary after all. References. However, if your garter snake has gone 2 weeks without eating, this is a red flag and should be investigated. To improve his chances of siring offspring, a male red-sided garter snake will clog his bedfellow's nether regions by secreting a thick, gelatinous " plug ." A temporary barrier, the plug keeps his sperm from spilling out, and it blocks rival males from leaving their sperm behind. If a baby snake does not shed after two weeks, there could be something wrong with your snake, and you might need to seek help from a veterinarian or snake breeder. Gopher snakes have no parental involvement after laying eggs. Keep the base of your cage clean and dry to stop your snake from developing a blistered skin. Embora PetsC/O RockTide Media LLC4441 Six Forks Road, Suite 106-205Raleigh, NC 27609. As you might expect, the snake has a checkerboard pattern on its body, but those characteristic lines and stripes are still visible, too. It would be hard to offer such a variety in captivity, but you should try to vary your snakes diet. In the wild, baby snakes can instinctively care for themselves. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, its illegal to capture the San Francisco garter snake as its endangered. You and the garter snake will be happier if you allow for this short time period. This is especially true in English because English steals words from a lot of different languages, including Germanic languages, and modifies them. Know what a hog-nosed snake (Heterodon species) looks like. When a snake is about to shed its skin, it may lose its appetite for several days. A garter snakes venom is potent enough to subdue its prey (i.e. I hope that you find this website useful! Several studies have shown that light encourages mating behavior. Pythons are known for staying with theireggs until they hatch. This diversity has led them to spread out and adapt over a fair stretch of land. If you are bitten, and the snake wont let go, gently push its head forward to disengage its jaw. Even if your female has not mated a male recently, some of these signs could mean shes pregnant! 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. Typically, it is a smaller space. This is because the high temperatures cause the water to evaporate and moisten the enclosure. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. At Embora Pets we are passionate about pets and love sharing our knowledge and research with you.We strive to be the ultimate resource for you to learn all that you can about caring for your pet! 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. 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 bowl should be big enough for the snake to curl up in. Here, you can read an article we recently wrote that talks more about garter snakes as pets, including what their terrarium should look like, and what the best way to get a garter snake is. The easiest way to accommodate your snake is to purchase an aquarium tank or reptile cage (vivarium) with a lockable lid. Thats why you need to create a temperature gradient in its vivarium. Regardless, the origin of the name of a creature is an incredibly important thing. This act of stealing heat is called kleptothermy since this act is taken right after hibernation. small amphibians), but nowhere near strong enough to do any damage to a human. (Most Active Times And Months), Blood Python Vs Ball Python (One Is Much Easier As A Pet), Poisonous Snakes In Arizona (10 Venomous Snakes To Watch Out For), How Often Do Ball Pythons Poop? Wear protective gloves (snakes carry salmonella), Empty everything from the tank and dispose of the substrate, The furniture, food bowl, and tank should also be sterilized, Once youve rinsed the tank, apply a pet-safe disinfectant, Disinfect any cleaning equipment youve used, and get rid of any single-use items, such as DIY hides, Once the tank is dry, put everything back inside, If youre struggling to get the warmer side of your cage to 84 F with a heat mat alone, and the. Your baby snake might not want to eat right away and you should never force your snake to eat if it is not ready. The information might match up, or it might not. Lets say that you have a Python with a particularly pretty pattern, and you want to breed thatpython so that you can have other snakes with similar beautiful patterns, this is selective breeding. Garter snakes are small, common snakes that many people keep as pets but are widely found in the wild as well. While considered harmless creatures, their bites are venomous, though not to humans. Which Ones? Garter snakes are cold-blooded (ectothermic), so you'll need a heat lamp or pad to regulate their body temperature. Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals. Snakes do not give birth through the mouth, Exo Terra Repti-Glo 2.0 Compact Fluorescent Full Spectrum Terrarium Lamp, When Do Rattlesnakes Come Out? One of the more recent discoveries about the garter snake has been the fact that it is venomous. 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. For this, youll first need a terrarium which is just a ten gallon or more tank that will house the snake. They are considered one of the safest snakes because they can be handled so easily. She may even uncharacteristically strike out at you but she will go back to behaving normally once she has had her clutch. Your new snake will soon realize that it can trust you. It will bite anything that continues to threaten it at this point, but the worst that will happen from that is some drawn blood, as there is nothing in the garter snake that is all that threatening to a human. With all of this to cover and more, continue reading as we explore one of Americas most common snakes: the garter snake. Ask your breeder questions before taking your snake home. Ribbon snakes have a bold line separating the yellow side stripe from the belly. (Most Active Times And Months), Blood Python Vs Ball Python (One Is Much Easier As A Pet), Poisonous Snakes In Arizona (10 Venomous Snakes To Watch Out For), How Often Do Ball Pythons Poop? Mating for garter snakes takes place right after they have gone through their form of hibernation or brumation. Reptilemagazine.com has some great articles on several species of snakes. For example, a. Motherhood for a snake isnt muchas, since garter snakes do not care for their young, motherhood is only pregnancy. If you dont really care about the colors or patterns of the babies, then you dont have to worry too much about genetics and breeding partners. 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. You can achieve this most easily by using a humidifier. They like yourflowerbeds as much as you do. 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. However, by this time, baby garter snakes should show some interest in food. When possible, Embora Pets uses affiliate links (at no additional cost to you). . You should aim for a humidity level of between 50% and 60%. As always, be careful when you are breeding your snakes because some snakes can become aggressive before and even after mating. 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.) Think of cat eyes or Voldemort. Another sign that your female snake might be expecting babies is her sudden lack of appetite. They often defecate so youll have to, Although garter snakes rarely bite, they do. Low blood pressure, a faster heart rate and a weaker pulse. You should aim for the cooler end of the cage to be around 70F (21C). This way, the snake can warm up, or cool down, depending on its needs. 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. Your female snake may also lose some weight during pregnancy due to her lack of appetite. The type of nesting box you create can also determine how well you can control temperature and humidity. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Read this article we recently wrote to learn more about what garter snakes like to eat, as well as learn how to properly and successfully feed a garter snake. "Hiss" and Hers Like most snakes, though, garter snakes are able to pick up on chemical trails with their tongue. However, the garter snake does not have the ability to sense heat like the vipers and boas have developed. Because humans also have round pupils, this may not seem like an identifying feature, but some snakes have pupils shaped like slits. One of the first things you will want to do is rinse the baby snakes off with water to remove any remaining goo. Do Ferrets Need Vaccination Shots? Use the search! Some species, like the Ball Python, wrap around theireggs to keep them warm. Checkered garter snakes are sometimes mistaken for common garter snakes because some common garter snakes have very faint patterns of their back that resemble a checkerboard. In addition to their markings, garter snakes have the following characteristics: These features are all found in garter snakes, though do bear in mind that there are some differences within the species. The diet of the garter snake is diverse. Remove your snake to a second secure tank so you can clean the tank/vivarium thoroughly. Garter snakes are typically small reptiles, with a length between 23 - 30 inches. Their diets are able to sustain them off of almost anything in a location. You may even have witnessed mating and know what to expect. Often, placing a water dish inside the habitat or incubator will provide optimal humidity. Affiliate Disclosure: When possible, Embora Pets uses affiliate links (at no additional cost to you). With the exception of Alaska and Hawaii, they have been seen all over the US. 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. The garter snakes theory is that if my predators think I smell bad theyll think Ill taste bad. Unfortunately, though you are not a predator, you can seem like one. According to most sources, there are 34 different subspecies of garter snake. Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! Youll want to get some form of bedding. According to Northern State University, theyll consume grasshoppers, earthworms, frogs, toads, salamanders, small birds, rodents and other small mammals. Since snakes dont care for their young after they hatch or are born, it is up to you to make the decision of raising several extra mouths. There will be a change in temperament she is agitated, defensive and nervous. Some snakes need to see their food moving to kickstart their appetite. How long can a garter snake get? Remove objects and debris from your yard. Your email address will not be published. Some male snakes will release the same mating based pheromone to attract other males to them. However, if the snake is about to shed its skin, the eyes might be a bit cloudy. Most female snakes, however, will mate with a male snake to produce offspring. You wouldnt think that the name of a snake would be that big of a deal, but, crazy as it may seem, it is. 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. Whats Petsmarts Return Policy on Snakes. This means it could comfortably house a snake up to 20 long. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. It the temperature goes above 33C (91F), your snake will overheat. These are the eggs inside the snake. However, in captivity, you are in control of many key factors such as ovulation and temperature. Once youve made that choice though, you probably will want some tips on how to breed your snake. All rights reserved. This question is dependent on the situation the snake is in. 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. This is used both in hunting and finding a partner when looking to mate. The male must lick the female to determine which pheromones and chemicals they give off. If a snake appeared in a sensual dream Snakes can also symbolize male sexual energy vis--vis "their shape," Loewenberg says. A nest box must be set up in the early stages of a females pregnancy. This factor is probably the hardest to control and varies greatly between different species. If youre mating 2 snakes, install a reptile basking light. Get a good look at the snake without getting close enough for it to strikestay as far away as possible. The garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), also known as the common garter snake, is native to North America. In the wild, garter snakes are opportunistic hunters, so they eat a very varied diet. PetKeen.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. What Smells Deter Cats from Peeing? However, in some cases, more lighting could make a positive difference: Get a humidity gauge to monitor the humidity in the vivarium. No need to rush things, right? Because they use their environment to regulate their body temperature, they need to be able to warm up and cool down according to their needs. Do not wash the items in your kitchen to prevent cross-contamination. The snake will stay in sunny areas this will be the case as they are warming their pregnant body up. You could also repurpose Tupperware, plant pots, or household items but make sure there are no sharp edges. Being semi-aquatic, a garter snake might be able to have a deeper dish than some snakes, but ideally, youll keep the water fairly shallow. Snake breeders sometimes advertise themselves on the notice-boards in pet stores or website directories. After they are rinsed off, place them on a paper towel in a safe container. Garter snakes will be much easier to keep clean in a laboratory-style tank which has some well-chosen pieces of furniture and suitable substrate. So take care as you play with it the first couple of days. 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. It is also important to keep the water clean. In captivity, you will need to create periods similar to winter and spring to promote successfulbreeding. Some females will eat only smaller portions of food, so try to offer your female some food but dont force her to eat. There are 13 subspecies of varying colors and patterns found in a wide range of habitats from Quebec to Florida and Alaska to Texas. Garter Snakes / By reptilelink. Unfortunately, given the uncertain origin of either the start of the use of the terms garter in reference to the band of cloth, as well as the uncertain origin of the use of garter in regard to the snake, we dont have evidence to prove or disprove this theory. Often, checkered garter snakes have an olive-green back with light-colored stripes and a black checkerboard pattern. Ribbon Snake Locations. If you do decide you want to use something other than newspaper, you can find some possibilities here. The eyes should be clear and free of injury. They need a meat-based diet to grow and thrive. Given this limitation, the snakes cannot be picky anything that can fit inside their mouth. 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. They range from about 23 inches to about 30 inches, making them easy to handle and unable to cause much damage to a human. While they mainly encompass North America,they have no specific natural environment in that region that they tend to live in. From enclosure setu. Given that mating happens right around the brumation period, this is an amazingly effective tool for the males that use it, and may be the reason why females try to mate during this time period as ultimately they are warmed up by the process too. They are much more delicate than chicken eggs, and moving them around can actually kill the young. Adjustment time is important for the comfort and health of a snake. Providing the right environment ahead of time can ensure that your clutch has a high survival rate. If the snake is sluggish and doesnt move around in your hands, this is a sign of illness or disease. I'm going over 5 different ways that snake breeders ca. Because garter snakes are non-threatening towards humans, people assume that they do not produce venom. You can tell a female has become gravid when her skin stretches, spreading out her scales. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Identify-Garden-Snakes-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Identify-Garden-Snakes-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Identify-Garden-Snakes-Step-1.jpg\/aid5538102-v4-728px-Identify-Garden-Snakes-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"