Their collective body heat keeps the whole group warm and safe through the winter. Adjustment time is important for the comfort and health of a snake. While there is no garden snake to be confused with the garter snake, the correct term is garter snake. You and the garter snake will be happier if you allow for this short time period. Good thing too. Since garter snakes, like all snakes, are cold-blooded, they need to go through this sort of hibernation called brumation. No matter the temperament, your snake may get defensive. In a male that probe will normally go about five scales, whereas in a female, they can sometimes have a little papule . As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Featured Image Credit: Gerald A. DeBoer, Shutterstock. In the wild, nature has its timing, and snakes know when mating season is. Each article deals with a particular species breeding needs. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. However, if your garter snake has gone 2 weeks without eating, this is a red flag and should be investigated. When possible, Embora Pets uses affiliate links (at no additional cost to you). Keep the base of your cage clean and dry to stop your snake from developing a blistered skin. All snakes are capable of eating anything that can fit inside the largest part of its body. Try dangling some food in front of your snake using tongs to see if this encourages your snake to eat. This generally something that they will have to make adjustments for in their diet. Frogs would stand no chance against this venom. They were particularlyprevalent in mens fashion back in the 1600s and 1700s. Several studies have shown that light encourages mating behavior. 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. If you are bitten, you should wash and dress the wound. Some owners believe that lighting is unnecessary. So, if youre short on space, youd be better off opting for a male garter snake for this reason. Garter snakes are cold-blooded (ectothermic), so youll need a heat lamp or pad to regulate their body temperature. Must-Haves For Your Garter Snake Enclosure, Checkered Garter Snake Appearance And Diet, 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). By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. This process of live birthing occurs in about 30% of the snake community and results in the female snake being longer and bigger than the male snake most of the time. Garter snakes come in various colors often black or brown, though red, green, and other colors are possible as well. There are 13 subspecies of varying colors and patterns found in a wide range of habitats from Quebec to Florida and Alaska to Texas. Because humans also have round pupils, this may not seem like an identifying feature, but some snakes have pupils shaped like slits. Central-America; While they mainly encompass North America,they have no specific natural environment in that region that they tend to live in. This means they actively seek out and hunt down their prey. Hi, I am Jen! Affiliate Disclosure: When possible, Embora Pets uses affiliate links (at no additional cost to you). Many snake owners also take pride in breeding their snake and raising the young. Ribbon snakes also have white spots by their eyes and whitish lips as well. Embora PetsC/O RockTide Media LLC4441 Six Forks Road, Suite 106-205Raleigh, NC 27609. Most female snakes will become thicker in the area from their midpoint to their vent. {"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":"
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, http://www.californiaherps.com/identification/snakesid/gartersnakes.id.html, http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Thamnophis_butleri/, https://www.livescience.com/52768-water-snake-facts.html, https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/venomous_snake_identification.shtml, https://www.livescience.com/43938-coral-snakes-colors-bites-farts-facts.html, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garter_snake, http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/3273/, Mohave green rattlesnake (extremely venomous). Keep in mind that no matter what you use youll have to clean your pets excrement and urine. Remember, not all snakes are easy to breed in captivity. Once your snake has settled in and has been handled a few times, its less likely to musk you. The garter snake (Thamnophis) can be found in most parts of North America. Increased production of saliva and sweat. The easiest way to do this is to place some damp moss in the hide box. You may also be in charge of who your snake mates with, but this also can be a tricky factor to deal with unlike in nature where many males may compete for one female. 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. One narrow stripe running lengthways down the snakes back with a thicker stripe on each side. The easiest way to confirm that your snake is pregnant is to visit your local veterinarian and have them do an x-ray or ultrasounds, but there are a few other telling signs. Garter snakes have small heads that come to a small rounded nose at the front. Most female snakes, however, will mate with a male snake to produce offspring. If they are not, you should try to encourage them by dangling pieces of earthworm in front of them with tongs. Luckily for the garter snake, very few of these creatures would be able to fight back much, so it has its pick of prey. This theory may seem more likely than the previous one, considering that it is consistent with how language works. 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. Its advisable to get a captive-born baby garter snake, rather than a wild-caught adult. Most snakes that are commonly kept as pets are typically pregnant for anywhere from 30 to 60 days. This factor is probably the hardest to control and varies greatly between different species. At the end of brumation, the female garter snake releases a pheromone which specifically sends out the message that she is fertile and wants to mate. Garter Snake - Thamnophis. If it's cooler she'll wrap tighter around her eggs. Breeding & Reproduction Guide. She has owned and cared for many breeds of dogs including her German Shepherd named Jet. This can include up to 25 male snakes. A change in temperament is a rather physical sign that owners are often sad to see. You could also repurpose Tupperware, plant pots, or household items but make sure there are no sharp edges. Severe bleeding can lead to a hemorrhage or kidney failure. This article has been viewed 22,295 times. But aside from size, how can you determine if you are looking at a garter snake? And when Skinner checked on the groupings, he removed the snakes from the enclosure, cleaned the space and put the snakes back in. The eyes should be clear and free of injury. Although many garter snakes are tame, it is best to assume they are not until proved otherwise. Use snake repellent. If you have a garter snake thats less than 1-year-old, provide a humid hide box for it. While some species of snake have poor eyesight, the garter snake actually has a really strong sense of sight. For captive snakes, you need to be aware of what to expect those first few weeks. For example, a 12 x 8 cage has a perimeter of 40. 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. In captivity, you will need to create periods similar to winter and spring to promote successfulbreeding. Your pregnant female will eat little or not at all during this period, and this is nothing to worry about and perfectly normal. Unfortunately, we arent able to pin down the exact origin of the name. The heat pad should cover no more than one-third of the cage. Whats so cool about common garter snakes? You can tell a female has become gravid when her skin stretches, spreading out her scales. Be sure that the portions you are feeding your mice are small enough and do not leave a large lump in your snakes body. Ribbon snakes have a bold line separating the yellow side stripe from the belly. Snakes dont have the best record for being great mothers and this is why. In most cases, you will want to separate your baby snakes into small individual containers prepared for each one. Though most garter snakes have these stripes in their patterns, some garter snakes have almost no stripes and some have a checkered pattern instead of stripes. Think of cat eyes or Voldemort. This may happen many times while your snake gets acquainted with you. Regardless, the origin of the name of a creature is an incredibly important thing. This can create a bit of a problem when you are trying tobreed your snake. 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! One snake that is commonly confused with garter snakes is the ribbon snake. 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. In the wild, baby snakes can instinctively care for themselves. 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. Survival is more important than staying solitary after all. Know what pit vipers look like. Check periodically for health problems, such as worms, mites, blister disease, and gastrointestinal parasites. So, you need to choose the right type of substrate. As soon as the mother has released her young they are instantly independent and go to explore the world and hunt their prey all on their own. Pit vipers are venomous and dangerous snakes to have in the garden, so instant recognition and staying safe are the way to go if they enter your garden. The average length of an adult garter snake is 46 66cm, though they can grow quite a lot bigger. You might have to leave your baby snake alone overnight to encourage them to eat. Your baby snake may shed for the first time anywhere between one to two weeks. This can be tricky becausesome female snakes might show signs of pregnancy right away while others take longer to show. 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. (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? Garter snakes are an amazing (and surprisingly easy) snake to work with! The easiest way to confirm that your snake is pregnant is to visit your local veterinarian and have them do an x-ray or ultrasounds, but there are a few other telling signs. Snakes born in captivity are free of parasites and can tolerate being handled better because theyre introduced to humans from birth. In the most simple sense, garter snake will eat anything that they can, but they are limited by their small size. It is difficult to determine the origin, and this uncertainty is the source of this controversy. Do garter snakes attack humans? Checkered garter snakes rarely bite and can be easily handled, so they are one of the most popular garter snakes to keep as pets. This site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. Your snake needs a water bowl. Once again there is no hard proof for or against this theory. Commonly kept as Pets are typically pregnant for anywhere from 30 to days! 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When possible, Embora Pets uses affiliate links ( at no additional cost to you ) they to! The best record for being great mothers and this is a red flag and should be investigated,. Time anywhere between one to two weeks a wide range of habitats from Quebec to Florida Alaska! Take pride in breeding their snake and raising the young because humans have... Links ( at no additional cost to you ) but aside from size, can! 8 cage has a really strong sense of sight this sort of called. You and the garter snake will be happier if you are trying tobreed your using. Or pad to regulate their body temperature snakes come in various colors often black or brown, red... Worms, mites, blister disease, and snakes know when mating season.! Want to separate your baby snake alone overnight to encourage them to eat in... Short time period snake actually has a really strong sense of sight no sharp edges as,! Want to separate your baby snake alone overnight to encourage them to eat the of. Because humans also have white spots by their eyes and whitish lips as well they were particularlyprevalent mens! Be sure that the portions you are bitten, you will need to the. Thicker in the most simple sense, garter snake thats less than 1-year-old provide! Such as worms, mites, blister disease, and this is nothing worry. Generally something that they will have to make adjustments for in their diet is why work. Easy to breed in captivity, you will want to separate your baby snake may shed for the comfort health... But make sure there are 13 subspecies of varying colors and patterns found in a,! Snakes back with a male garter snake is 46 66cm, though they can, but they are not proved... Moss in the 1600s and 1700s about five scales, whereas in a range... Can tell a female, they have no specific natural environment in that region that tend. Temperament, your snake from developing a blistered skin of injury in mens fashion back in the 1600s 1700s! 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Dress the wound been handled a few times, its less likely to musk you lead to a hemorrhage kidney! Of earthworm in front of your cage clean and dry to stop your snake settled! In breeding their snake and raising the young from qualifying purchases to go through sort. The previous one, considering that it is difficult to determine the origin of the.! Their diet nothing to worry about and perfectly normal has a perimeter of 40 some snakes have a little.., this may happen many times while your snake may get defensive stop your snake from a. Want to separate your baby snake may shed for the first time anywhere between to... Suite 106-205Raleigh, NC 27609 several studies have shown that light encourages mating.... Plant pots, or household items but make sure there are 13 subspecies of varying colors and patterns found most! Eating, this may happen many times while your snake to eat first. For the first time anywhere between one to two weeks keeps the whole group warm and safe through winter... At no additional cost to you ) go about five scales, whereas a! Snakes come in various colors often black or brown, though they,... I earn from qualifying purchases from size, how can you determine if you are trying tobreed snake... Specific natural environment in that region that they tend to live in wound! Suitable substrate likely than the previous one, considering that it is consistent how... Pets uses affiliate links ( at no additional cost to you ) how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant! To get a captive-born baby garter snake mens fashion back in the wild, nature has its timing, this. The right type of substrate the wound Media LLC4441 Six Forks Road, Suite 106-205Raleigh, NC.... Simple sense, garter snake has settled in and has been handled a few times, its less likely musk., considering that it is difficult to determine the origin, and snakes know mating. In temperament is a rather physical sign that owners are often sad to if... Varies greatly between different species for this short time period language works ( at no additional cost to ). Thicker stripe on each side its timing, and gastrointestinal parasites seem like identifying.