LA
Kids love garter snakes much more than mothers love garter snakes.
LA
Stunt double ribbon snake (T. sauritus) standing in for Mr. Garter -- a
very close relative.
Origins: Several species
of garter snakes exist throughout the USA and Canada. They live most places where
they have access to water – including your backyard.
The Garter Name: They are called GARTER snakes because they
look like a garter. They are NOT gardner snakes. They will eat
some of the pests in your garden, but GARTER snakes will not help you
garden. Actually, they will not hold your socks up either, but
forget that line of thought.
LA
This skinny little guy measures two feet long.
Cage: You can keep a
small garter snake in a 10-gallon aquarium for a while.
We recommend larger quarters, so they get the exercise they need.
In the wild, garter snakes move around a lot in search of food.
LA
No hide box so he lurks in the vegetation.
Hide Box. Most snakes
prefer a hide box. Garters
will live without one, but the box or cave gives them a secure place to
hide. Lots of predators eat
them: large birds, raccoons,
opossums, skunks, and cats. Kids,
of course, love collecting them. They’ll fill a bucket full if
they find a nest.
LA
You'll see lots of color variations in garter snakes, including reds,
blues, and greens.
LA
Here's a yellow one and a green one.
Temperature: Since
garter snakes slither wild in Iowa, you know they adapt to a wide variety of temps.
They avoid the hotter periods of the day. And they take the
winter off.
LA
Garter snakes get out during the day and actively seek food.
Temperament: Garter
snakes actively hunt their prey. However,
they rarely bite people. They’re
runners not fighters. Their main defense when captured involves
emitting a white, smelly liquid that repels some predators.
Luckily, they stop emitting this substance after a short time in
captivity.
LA
Stunt double ribbon snake (T. sauritus) standing in for Mr. Garter -- a
close relative.
Maximum Size. Garter
snakes usually top out at three feet. Most stay a bit smaller.
Females grow the largest.
LA
Garter snakes love goldfish -- surprisingly large goldfish.
LA
Garter snakes like guppies also.
LA
Garter snakes love goldfish.
LA
Goldfish make intriguing bumps in your garter snake.
LA
Piggie
garter snakes will choke down two or three goldfish a day and get
fat. Not good.
LA
First guy took 16 days to get this comfortable. Second guy took 19.
Foods: Garter snakes
love goldfishes. A group of
garters will feed heartily from a water bowl containing live goldfish.
They look like cobras when they lift their head and body up with a
mouthful of goldfish. They will also eat deceased goldfish.
They also love earthworms and baby rodents. They’re nearly always
eager to eat and can get chubby in captivity.
LA
Just finishing the swallowing process.
Supplements: Garter
snakes fed goldfish tend to suffer from thiamin (vitamin B1)
deficiency. An occasional earthworm dipped in powdered reptile vitamins
should prevent this problem. Warning:
Occasional means at least two weeks apart. Don’t overdose the vitamins.
Lighting: Most snakes
don’t need full-spectrum light, but garters do appreciate a regular day
and night schedule – without bright lights.
If your garter snake gets an occasional baby rodent, you’ll see
no problem with vitamin or calcium deficiency.
LA
Garter snakes live near the water not in the water.
Water: Garter snakes
love water. However, they
prefer a dry substrate. Don’t
slop water in their cage.
LA
Your garter snake would love this paludarium as a permanent home.
Furnishings: Give garter
snakes some wood chunks or branches to clamber over.
Garters also need wood to “catch” their skin on when shedding.
Artificial or real plants make no difference to your garter, but
they sure make your cage look better.
Keep your decor easy to clean.
LA
Garter snakes get used to handling very fast.
Handling:
Feel free to handle
your garters (except right after feeding).
Support them well. And
don’t squeeze them. Their
“over-activeness” and attempts to “make a run for it” tempt you to
grasp them too roughly.
LA
Wanna bite of apple?
LA
6-inch two-headed plains garter snake. Not exactly common.
Last Word: Always wash
your hands thoroughly after handling any reptile.
And keep them out of your mouth. LA.
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