What's the difference between a garter snake and a garden snake?

There is no difference between a garter snake and a garden snake. Both names refer to the same species, the Thamnophis sirtalis, which is the most common non-venomous reptile in North America. While they vary in color, garter snakes are easily recognizable for 3 lines that run through their bodies.

Are garter snakes the same as garden snakes?

“Garter snake” is a traditional American term for small harmless snakes with stripes running lengthwise along their bodies, resembling old-fashioned garters. It is more broadly used for all manner of small non-venomous snakes. Many folks don't get the allusion, and call them “gardener snakes” instead.

How do I identify a garden snake?

Garden snakes, nicknamed garter snakes, come in many varieties, various colors, and have different markings, depending on your area of the country. These snakes are usually brown or black but may be a greenish color. Most have a checkerboard pattern near the stripes. Other colors of these snakes vary.

Why are garden snakes called garter snakes?

Their common name, “garter,” was inspired by the stripes that run parallel down their bodies, from head to tail, which somewhat resemble garter belts. In addition, there are a few other species of snakes, commonly found in gardens and yards, that people refer to as “garden snakes,” Holbrook said.

Are garter snakes good to have in your yard?

Garter snakes are a gardener's friend! Harmless to humans, they eat the pests that wreak havoc in your garden. Learn more about the shy but helpful gardening helper who just wants to live peacefully in harmony with you—and eat your slugs!

Garter Snake, The Best Pet Snake?

Are garter snakes aggressive?

Garter snakes are non-venomous, but can be fairly aggressive and will readily strike and bite, sometimes causing an allergic reaction in humans. If handled or attacked, they will release a foul-smelling musk.

Will a garter snake bite you?

While most species are classified as harmless (non-venomous), their bite can cause minor swelling or itching in humans, and anyone bitten by a garter snake should clean the bite thoroughly. It is not ultimately a cause for concern.

Do garter snakes bite dogs?

Garter snakes prefer to escape when threatened by a predator, such as your dog, but they will bite if cornered. These snakes are considered mildly venomous.

Where do garter snakes nest?

Garter snakes don't create and burrow their own holes. They utilize the holes of other animals or natural cracks in the soil. Shed skins may be found in the spring or late summer. Most adult garter snakes shed two to three times per year.

Can garter snakes climb walls?

The ventral scales (found on the underside of the snake) create small ridges and grooves on the snakes body that they angle on the surface they are climbing, this helps to create traction while they use their muscles to slowly move up the wall.

What is the most common snake to find in your backyard?

Garter Snakes

They are native to both North and Central America and are the most common snakes found in gardens and yards. They're also called grass snakes and are distinguished by 1 or 3 long, yellow to red stripes that are often checkered.

What does a common garter snake look like?

What do they look like? Common garter snakes are highly variable in color pattern. They typically have three light stripes that run along the length of their body on a black, brown, gray, or olive background. The stripes can be white, yellow, blue, greenish, or brown.

What does it mean to find a snake in your yard?

The meaning of a snake sighting is about the expansion of the mind and spirit. It's a transformation or awakening of sorts. However, it can be a reminder to remain grounded and in touch with the magic held in nature—the earth, the water, the air and even the fire in the earth's core.

Is a grass snake and a garter snake the same thing?

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.

Can garden snakes be poisonous?

No, they're not considered poisonous to humans. With the exception of a few species, which are capable of causing anaphylaxis in certain individuals that are bitten due to their mild venom but are still not considered dangerous to humans.

What time of day are garter snakes most active?

Common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) are active mainly during the day and are active through a wider range of temperatures than most snakes. They hibernate from late October through March or early April, but can be found basking on rocks during mild winter days.

What attracts snakes to your house?

Snakes enter a building because they're lured in by dark, damp, cool areas or in search of small animals, like rats and mice, for food. Snakes can be discouraged from entering a home in several ways. Keeping the vegetation around the house cut short can make the home less attractive to small animals and snakes.

Do garter snakes climb trees?

Garter Snake Habits

If you have Garter snakes in your yard or garden, chances are you may not even know. Garter snakes are incredibly active. They come out both night and day. They are typically ground-dwellers, but they may also climb shrubs, vines, or trees to escape predators.

Do mothballs keep snakes away?

Moth balls are common old-time home remedy to keep snakes away, but this old wives' tale doesn't stand the test of science. Mothballs don't repel snakes. Snakes “smell” with their tongues, so methods like mothballs that rely on odors are unlikely to deter them.

Will cats eat garter snakes?

Cats Eat Snakes

By small, in this case, we mean any nonvenomous snake about 6 feet long or less that's native to the U.S. King snakes, garter snakes, corn snakes, rat snakes, even the significantly sizable bull and gopher snakes end up on kitty menus.

Will dogs keep snakes away?

Yes, big dogs especially can be a deterrent to snakes. They bark loudly and are much larger than snakes, so they will typically choose to stay away.

How do you get rid of garter snakes without killing them?

Do garter snakes eat mice?

Garter snakes are numerous partly because they will eat a variety of prey. Our Boulder snakes' favorite foods include: frogs, toads, tadpoles, fish, earthworms, snails, leeches, grasshoppers, slugs and salamanders. They will also eat mice, shrews, voles, chipmunks, birds, and other reptiles including other snakes.

Do garter snakes carry diseases?

Garter snakes that are used for scientific laboratory studies or kept as exotic pets often become ill and die early in captivity. They may also act as reservoirs of potential human pathogens or transmit infection to man.

What does a garter snake eat?

Garter snakes, like all snakes, are carnivorous. Their diet consists of almost any creature they are capable of overpowering: slugs, earthworms (nightcrawlers, as red wigglers are toxic to garter snakes), leeches, lizards, amphibians (including frog eggs), minnows, and rodents.