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.

Where do garter snakes like to nest?

Garter snakes prefer tall grass, marshland (near water), forested areas. While in these environments, snakes may seek shelter in tree hollows, under logs, leaf litter, underground holes, rock outcroppings and/or burrows that have been abandoned by other animals.

Do garter snakes stay in the same area?

Unless, of course, their den is on your property. In contrast, harmless garter snakes and ringneck snakes will often burrow underground or find natural cavities (such as rodent burrows) to evade the cold. And they tend to stick in the same area. So if you see one in your yard, it may remain there for years.

Do garter snakes have dens?

The Common Garter Snake hibernates in communal dens in logs, tree stumps, rock piles, and even in culverts and spaces under roads, railroad tracks and buildings. Dozens to hundreds of individual snakes can be found in these dens.

What time of year do garter snakes have babies?

Common garter snakes are ovoviviparous (bearing live young). The young are incubated in the lower abdomen, about half way down from the snake's body. Gestation is usually two to three months. Most females in the northern parts of their range give birth to from 4 to 80 young between late July and October.

How to Care for Baby Garter Snakes!

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!

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.

What attracts snakes to your house?

Food and water sources attract snakes and their prey – mice, rats, and insects. Keep pet food inside. Feed pets indoors to deter rodents and snakes from gathering outdoors around an easy food source.

What does it mean when you see a garter snake?

In some tribes, garter snakes (also known as garden snakes) are symbols of jealousy or dishonesty; to other tribes, they are a symbol of water. In the traditions of the Arapaho Indians, garter snakes are associated with the Sun Dance and are represented in the hoop of the tribe's sacred Medicine Wheel.

How do you get rid of garter snakes?

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.

When you see one snake are there more?

However, this may not be the only time that you may come across a snake. Remember snakes do not usually live in colonies, so you could have a solitary snake. Just because you saw one, there is no need to panic and think that you have a house infested with millions of snakes.

Are garter snakes solitary?

While garter snakes are generally solitary creatures, they generally hibernate in large numbers to prevent heat loss and keep their bodies warm. Due to their combined smell, a large group of garter snakes in or under your home can make your residence uninhabitable.

How do you know if you have a snake den?

If you find a dry, scaly sheet of the skin or a crumpled heap somewhere close to an entrance into the walls of your home or small space areas. If you are inspecting a dusty area or crawl space, you might notice slither tracks that indicate where a snake has traveled. Snakes have a distinctive smell that is noticeable.

How do you find a snake den?

Under porches and patios: Rattlesnakes try to avoid getting too close to humans, but they may find adequate shelter in hollows under your house's foundation, as well as under porches and patios. If there are cracks or crevices around the base of your house or porch, these could be entry areas for snake dens.

How many garter snakes are in a nest?

Garter snakes are ovoviviparous, meaning they bear live young. After mating, females store sperm in their bodies until they want to fertilize their eggs. Garter snakes give birth to 20 to 40 live young at a time, though Beane pointed out that litter sizes can vary greatly.

Can snakes enter a house through the toilet?

Few things may instill fear like the idea of a snake coming through your toilet can. Is it an urban legend, a joke, or a valid concern? According to experts, unfortunately, it can happen. Not only can snakes come up through the toilet, but other critters like rats, squirrels, and tree frogs can too.

What is the difference between a garden snake and a garter 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.

Can garter snakes hurt dogs?

A garter snake Bite is not likely to be dangerously toxic to your dog, some swelling will probably occur and if the swelling is too severe you should definitely take him to the vet to get treatment, but he should be fine otherwise.

What smell do snakes hate?

There are many scents snakes don't like including smoke, cinnamon, cloves, onions, garlic, and lime. You can use oils or sprays containing these fragrances or grow plants featuring these scents.

What time of day are snakes most active?

Snakes are at their most active when it's cool out. They move around most in the early morning and around dusk. Snakes hunt in tall grass, weeds, and other sources of vegetation. Around your home, they'll seek out shady or dark places where they can rest and cool down.

Can snakes live in your walls?

Snakes usually enter the home through holes or cracks in the outer walls or foundations (although some can climb very well), so check your exterior walls carefully and plug any gaps. Use fine metal mesh to cover vent holes and crawl spaces, and fill other gaps with spray foam.

What does garter snake poop look like?

According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, snake droppings, like those of birds, usually have a cap of white calcareous material at one end. One reason snake scat resembles that of birds is an anatomical similarity.

How long does a garter snake live?

Females give birth to a litter of 10 to 40 live young in summer. Young are five to nine inches long at birth. Garter snakes typically live 3 to 4 years.