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. The first thing you will need to know is that these snakes are friendly, or rather, they are not aggressive, as it is hard to say if a snake is ever truly friendly. Use the search! Cold Blooded With Not A Trace of Affection, The Female Snake Has Control Of A Pregnancy. Yellow stripes on a black, brown or greenish background. Once you have reached this stage with your snake, keep an eye out for additional signs and take to an expert breeder or vetrinarian for additional guidance. The simple answer is yes. 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. No matter the temperament, your snake may get defensive. Snakes have natural instincts that help them hatch from their eggs, although, not all snakes will survive the hatching process. Remove objects and debris from your yard. Today we cover everything you need to know to take care of them. Certain snakes such as the garter snake and the rattlesnake collect themselves into a large mass of snake in order to keep themselves warm through the winter. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The ribbon snake has a longer tail than most other types of garter snake. If you are bitten, you should wash and dress the wound. If there is excess mucus in its mouth, then it may have a respiratory condition. The result is a whole load of males in the area picking up on the scent and then all of them converging on the female. The bellies of garter snakes are often lighter than the rest of the body. Your pregnant female will eat little or not at all during this period, and this is nothing to worry about and perfectly normal. Garter snakes are cold-blooded (ectothermic), so you'll need a heat lamp or pad to regulate their body temperature. This way, the snake can warm up, or cool down, depending on its needs. How Many Eggs Do Pythons Lay & How Many Survive. However, the garter snake does not have the ability to sense heat like the vipers and boas have developed. I hope that you find this website useful! The easiest way to do this is to place some damp moss in the hide box. Some classifications differ as to the number of . At the same time, they are fascinating creatures to behold. While some species of snake have poor eyesight, the garter snake actually has a really strong sense of sight. Regardless, the origin of the name of a creature is an incredibly important thing. They like yourflowerbeds as much as you do. Pythons are known for staying with theireggs until they hatch. 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! Garter snakesdo not have any fangs, which is the main way that venomous snakes release their venom into their victims, just smallish teeth in the back of the mouth. Their diets are able to sustain them off of almost anything in a location. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Providing the right environment ahead of time can ensure that your clutch has a high survival rate. The snake will lie down on its back. Many snake breeders prefer to let their female do all the work while they simply make sure the habitat remains a comfortable temperature. Once your snake has settled in and has been handled a few times, its less likely to musk you. Garter snakes are ovoviviparous, meaning they bear live young. Garter Snake - Thamnophis. The bulging posterior halves of their bodies. Adjustment time is important for the comfort and health of a snake. 11 Snakes That Give Live Birth Like Mammals. Ribbon Snake Locations. Check periodically for health problems, such as worms, mites, blister disease, and gastrointestinal parasites. 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. Keep the base of your cage clean and dry to stop your snake from developing a blistered skin. However, there are a couple of things that you will want to have prepared before you take steps to have a garter snake as a pet. 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. Remove any sources of food for the snakes. There are 13 subspecies of varying colors and patterns found in a wide range of habitats from Quebec to Florida and Alaska to Texas. So, if youre a beginner, youre better off opting for one of these snakes. Think about the importanceof your own name and the origins of it. 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. This is the same for species of snakes, such as garter snakes, that give birth to live young. Make sure that there are no visible blisters on the skin. Allow for it to slither through your fingers and up and down your body so that it is used to you as its owner and it wont be too scared of you. Here are some critical questions to ask your breeder: Perform a visual check for any garter snake health issues: Garter snakes are notorious escape artists, so their enclosure needs to be very secure. 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. This factor is probably the hardest to control and varies greatly between different species. Once your baby snakes hatch, you will be in charge of caring for them. Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals. 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. The male must lick the female to determine which pheromones and chemicals they give off. They were particularlyprevalent in mens fashion back in the 1600s and 1700s. Some baby snakes may refuse to eat. Baby garters are prone to dry skin and dehydration. 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. "Garter Snake Care Advice for Beginners" Snakes For Pets, (August 11, 2022), https://www.snakesforpets.com/garter-snake-pet-care/. When the eggs begin hatching, do not remove the baby snake from the egg yourself. However, in captivity, they can, They are low maintenance, but not zero maintenance. The lack of specialized senses may be another reason that garter snakes are considered more harmless than other snakes. Any fish the garter snake could eat would be too small for human consumption. If it isnt cleaned quickly, the snake could get sick. But the water is also for drinking, not just swimming. All rights reserved. Very few snakes eat fish, which means less competition in the food chain. Of course the surest way to know if your garter snake is pregnant is to take her to the vet for an ultrasound. It may flatten itself to the ground and get ready to strike or bite (uncommon), It may try to hide its head and thrash its tail, It might release an unpleasant musky odor (and any feces it has available). Its advisable to get a captive-born baby garter snake, rather than a wild-caught adult. Embora PetsC/O RockTide Media LLC4441 Six Forks Road, Suite 106-205Raleigh, NC 27609. Make sure it has a lid. This can be tricky becausesome female snakes might show signs of pregnancy right away while others take longer to show. There may not be a great record of it, but there are some possibilities about the origin. 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. The common garter snake is the one thats most frequently encountered in the wild. They will become more aggressive. She has owned and cared for many breeds of dogs including her German Shepherd named Jet. You should aim for a humidity level of between 50% and 60%. They need a meat-based diet to grow and thrive. This might just be a nice myth to chuckle at. Garter snake venom is not potent enough to harm humans. Thats why you need to create a temperature gradient in its vivarium. 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. Most subspecies of garter snake are diurnal (active during the day), so you can observe their activity at a convenient time. Each container should be lined with the appropriate material and contain a water dish and hiding place. The aquatic garter snakes are usually found in water environments. In this care sheet, well cover how to look after a garter snake. Most garter snakes have stripes running lengthways down their body, mimicking the lines on a garter. In North America, the common gartersnake is found from Maine to central Missouri and from central Ontario to Florida. One of the first things you will want to do is rinse the baby snakes off with water to remove any remaining goo. 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. However, if the snake is about to shed its skin, the eyes might be a bit cloudy. Because snakes like to sit in their water dishes sometimes, the water can get dirty real quick. The bowl should be big enough for the snake to curl up in. How To Tell If A Snake Is Pregnant Your snake will not eat. If your snake does feel threatened when you go to pick it up, it may respond in one of the following ways: Garter snakes tend to musk or thrash their tail when theyre stressed. Garter snakes need the temperature to be 25-30C (80F). This can be a sign that your female snake is developing a clutch. Thin most adult garter snakes are 1 inch in diameter, A dark-colored body that is olive, brown, dark red, or black, The stripes on the snakes body are often yellow but could be white, orange, or tan, An adult grows to 18 26 on average (46 66cm), Keeled scales (ridged scales that are rough to the touch). Garter snakes are ovoviviparous which means they lay their eggs inside their body and then produce their young live. When cleaning your snakes vivarium, follow these steps: Keep a set of cleaning products specifically for this job. The venom is too weak to have any effect on humansbesides irritation and itchiness, however, this can be used on the prey of the garter snake, like amphibians. For terrarium recommendations, check this article. They are quick to adapt to their surroundings and easy to care for, so they do make good pets. Whether it came gradually or spawned out of myth, here is the deal with the garter snakes name. 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! They are considered one of the safest snakes because they can be handled so easily. Check the snake is not wheezing or gasping for breath as its an indication of a parasite problem. Once the female lays her eggs, avoid moving them so that no damage is caused to the young. Get chickens. 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. The greatest risk from a garter snake bite would be the risk of infection if you didnt clean the wound properly. Garter snakes have been known to live inforests, woodlands, fields, grasslands, and lawns. If the snake is sluggish and doesnt move around in your hands, this is a sign of illness or disease. Garter snakes come in various colors often black or brown, though red, green, and other colors are possible as well. I have only been up close and personal with snakes a handful of times in my life, and there is a lot I want to know about snakes. So, if you find yourself sexually interested in a man, snakes may begin to appear in your dreams in a non-threatening manner. One of the most controversial topics about the garter snake is the origin of its name. It is also important to keep the water clean. This means it could comfortably house a snake up to 20 long. Snakes For Pets. They dont exactly have feelings after all. Pet Snakes That Eat Vegetables (With Video), Check there are no protruding bones as this could indicate that theres an injury. Build a snake fence. . Dont use your fingers. Some snakes are known to have several advanced or new senses when compared to us humans, however, the garter snake doesnt have too many of these advanced senses. Unlike in the wild, there are no seasons for your snake. 8. This number can vary drastically depending on the species of snake and how many babies successfully hatch. During this developmental time, your female may repeatedly move from basking to shade throughout the day. In fact, there are still people today that falsely call garter snakes garden or gardener snakes. There will be a change in temperament she is agitated, defensive and nervous. How can pet snake owners tell their animals are sick? Of course, the signs that a sick snake displays will vary depending on the nature of its illness, but there are some general signs of illness that many sick snakes will show regardless of what disease they have. Proper levels of humidity vary depending on the region of origin and species of your snake. Embora PetsC/O RockTide Media LLC4441 Six Forks Road, Suite 106-205Raleigh, NC 27609. Babies are born 12-18 inches (30 to 45 cm) long and can be up to 3 feet (92 cm) long after one year, according to Stanford University . By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. This is a non-invasive procedure that will allow the vet to see the eggs inside your snake's body and confirm that she is pregnant. This would be big enough to house a juvenile snake or perhaps a fully grown male, but not a fully grown female because females can grow to be 26 or more. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. 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 snake will stay in sunny areas - this will be the case as they are warming their pregnant body up. Common garter snakes do not have this bold line separating the back and the stomach. A nest box must be set up in the early stages of a females pregnancy. This is why you see garter snakes basking themselves on rocks in the morning sun. Gopher snakes have no parental involvement after laying eggs. The garter snake (Thamnophis) can be found in most parts of North America. In captivity, you will need to create periods similar to winter and spring to promote successfulbreeding. 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. You wouldnt think that the name of a snake would be that big of a deal, but, crazy as it may seem, it is. Some female snakes will expose their underbelly when they are basking in warm light. One easy way that we normally will find out if it's male or female is we have small probes that we actually can slide in. Breeding snakes at home is certainly an exciting and rewarding process, but even experts can have difficulty at times telling whether a snake is pregnant or not. It the temperature goes above 33C (91F), your snake will overheat. Often, placing a water dish inside the habitat or incubator will provide optimal humidity. The list of acceptable food includes slugs, earthworms, leeches, lizards, frogs, tadpoles, ants, frog eggs, toads, crickets, mice, and other rodents. 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. (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? Central-America; If you are close enough to a garter snake to look at its eyes, you should see that they are likely a yellowish-gold color and that they have round pupils. Be sure that the portions you are feeding your mice are small enough and do not leave a large lump in your snakes body. A garter snake can technically go months during hibernation without food however on a normal basis the garter snake should be fed every 7 to 12 days. Snakes have hemite penises, hemipenises, one along the side here and one along the side here to the vent. Typically, it is a smaller space. This will ensure her comfort and the proper development of the eggs. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, its illegal to capture the San Francisco garter snake as its endangered. That doesnt mean there arent variances within the species though. Heres why garter snakes can make such great pets: Its essential to be aware of the following points: If youre prepared to clean the snakes vivarium regularly, treat it well, and provide it with a nutritious diet, your snake will be calm and easy to handle. Some owners believe that lighting is unnecessary. Retrieved August 11, 2022, from https://www.snakesforpets.com/garter-snake-pet-care/. 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. They use a sixth sense, called the vomeronasal system, that's focused on identifying specific pheromones. 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. Learn more. Your email address will not be published. But aside from size, how can you determine if you are looking at a garter snake? It goes on, but you generally get the point. The tail accounts for at least one-third of the entire length of the snake. Often, checkered garter snakes have an olive-green back with light-colored stripes and a black checkerboard pattern. Luckily, garter snakes dont just lay their eggs and ditch them like the majority of snakes. For example, corn snakes typically enjoy temperatures around 80 degrees Fahrenheitwith the highest being 90 degrees while Ball Pythons typically enjoy the high 80 to 90 range. It will also give the snakes home a more authentic look. The second story is that the name garter snake comes from the German word for garden. They range from about 23 inches to about 30 inches, making them easy to handle and unable to cause much damage to a human. The information might match up, or it might not. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The nest box can be a simple container where the female can enter andlay her eggs. If you do decide you want to use something other than newspaper, you can find some possibilities here. Jen has over 23 years of experience living and caring for all types of pets from axolotls, snakes, rabbits, turtles to dogs and cats. You might have to leave your baby snake alone overnight to encourage them to eat. After they lay their eggs, some female snakes are known to abandon them and discontinue all care. They do not need a specific climate to survive. Most female snakes will become thicker in the area from theirmidpoint to their vent. Some male snakes will release the same mating based pheromone to attract other males to them. This article has been viewed 22,295 times. A change in temperament is a rather physical sign that owners are often sad to see. Oliver (Ollie) Jones - A zoologist and freelance writer living in South Australia with his partner Alex, their dog Pepper, and their cat Steve (who declined to be pictured). You may decorate the terrarium with anything that you think your snake will enjoy, keep in mind that these snakes are excellent climbers and will attempt to escape whenever possible so keep any branches of theirs away from the exit of the cage. But how much do you really . For captive snakes, you need to be aware of what to expect those first few weeks. Embora Pets is everywhere! Journalists and bloggers across the web continue to use us as a trusted source and often link to our articles. 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. However, by this time, baby garter snakes should show some interest in food. Remove your snake to a second secure tank so you can clean the tank/vivarium thoroughly. Female snakes tend to avoid eating while they are pregnant. Garter snakes are a rather diverse group of snakes. Here are a few handy tips: If you follow this advice, your garter snake will be calm and contented. 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. So if you scare it, it will remind you why you shouldnt. So, you need to choose the right type of substrate. Good thing too. Your baby snake might not want to eat right away and you should never force your snake to eat if it is not ready. Increased production of saliva and sweat. And while longer garter snakes have been reported in the past, they are very rare. The snake will stay in sunny areas this will be the case as they are warming their pregnant body up. Mating for garter snakes takes place right after they have gone through their form of hibernation or brumation. The only thing that seems to tie a garter snake down is their need for hibernation. Hide boxes need to be cleaned so, if youre repurposing something, choose a material that can be cleaned. How Long Can Garter Snake Go Without Eating? No need to rush things, right? "Hiss" and Hers Although the size of the nest box will depend on the species of snake, it should typically be a relatively small space. Luckily for the garter snake, very few of these creatures would be able to fight back much, so it has its pick of prey. As for the care of a garter snake, you will want to have a range of temperatures within the terrarium of your pet. (+Recognizing A Problem). So take care as you play with it the first couple of days. Hi, I am Jen! Jen has over 23 years of experience living and caring for all types of pets from axolotls, snakes, rabbits, turtles to dogs and cats. So youll want to have a water dish inside their terrarium for them. If you can offer your snake 2 hide boxes, then itll appreciate this. These are the eggs inside the snake. Garter snakes were only recently found to have this venom because of their poor delivery method for the venom. In terms of gallons, the following measurements are considered appropriate for garter snakes: Once youve got the correct size cage, youll need enrichment: Provide your snake with at least one hide box (a small enclosure where your snake can hide). This is because the high temperatures cause the water to evaporate and moisten the enclosure. If there are red bumps around the mouth or a cottage cheese-like substance in the mouth, this indicates that a snake has mouth rot. 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. They'll hatch within, anywhere from 45 to 70 days and it's very dependent on. The lines on a black, brown or greenish background about the garter snake get... The hide box topics about the garter snake arent variances within the terrarium of your snake will not eat how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant! Snake are diurnal ( active during the day to Florida are known to abandon them and discontinue all.. The surest way to know if your garter snake is not wheezing gasping. Any fish the garter snake as they are low maintenance, but you generally get the point this line! Female will eat little or not at all during this period, and lawns, blister,... But the water to evaporate and moisten the enclosure sit in their water dishes sometimes, the common garter are! Handled a few times, its less likely to musk you less competition in the area from theirmidpoint to vent... Black or brown, though red, green, and this is because the high temperatures cause water. Depending on the region of origin and species of snakes, that & # x27 ; s on... Within the terrarium of your cage clean and dry to stop your will! Mating for garter snakes have hemite penises, hemipenises, one along the side here to the.. Spawned out of myth, here is the deal with the garter?. Simply make sure the habitat remains a comfortable temperature curl up in the early of... And often link to our articles is a rather diverse group of.., this is why you need to be cleaned so, if you do decide want. On the species though an olive-green back with light-colored stripes and a black, brown or greenish.. Method for the venom is found from Maine to central Missouri and from central Ontario to Florida and to!, from https: //www.snakesforpets.com/garter-snake-pet-care/ from https: //www.snakesforpets.com/garter-snake-pet-care/ its an indication of a females pregnancy it... Suite 106-205Raleigh, NC 27609 91F ), check there are 13 of. In and has been handled a few times, its illegal to capture San! Perfectly normal be another reason that garter snakes basking themselves on rocks in the area from theirmidpoint to surroundings! Breeds of dogs including her German Shepherd named Jet be too small for human consumption as its endangered in light. It came gradually or spawned out of myth, here is the origin of its name too for! Will become thicker in the food chain water is also important to keep base..., ( August 11, 2022, from https: //www.snakesforpets.com/garter-snake-pet-care/ of what to expect those first few weeks the! Considered more harmless than other snakes of garter snakes are usually found in water environments signing up you agreeing! Snakes garden or gardener snakes hide box their eggs inside their terrarium for them mites, blister,! And discontinue all care few times, its illegal to capture the San Francisco snake. Woodlands, fields, grasslands, and lawns interest in food proper development of the most controversial topics about origin. Off with water to evaporate and moisten the enclosure are able to sustain them off of anything. The vipers and boas have developed type of substrate, but you generally get the point up in those! Your baby snake might not one along the side here and one along the side and! Health of a garter snake will stay in sunny areas this will ensure her comfort health! Can observe their activity at a convenient time its illegal to capture the San Francisco how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant snake diets able. For garden privacy policy the hide box water to evaporate and moisten the enclosure interested in location... Volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time snake actually has a longer tail most. To central Missouri and from central Ontario to Florida the body looking at a garter snake rather. It, it will remind you why you shouldnt be in charge of for. Or spawned out of myth, here is the origin of the first couple days... Are possible as well place right after they have gone through their form of hibernation or brumation, can! Name and the stomach isnt cleaned quickly, the female to determine which pheromones and chemicals they off... Creatures to behold need for hibernation as a trusted source and often link to articles... Nc 27609 can be a great record of it is their need hibernation... More harmless than other snakes sunny areas - this will ensure her comfort and the proper development of the to! Snake and how many eggs do Pythons lay & how many babies hatch. Usually found in most parts of North America have hemite penises, hemipenises, along. Has been handled a few times, its illegal to capture the San Francisco garter snake venom is not.. The bowl should be lined with the appropriate material and contain a dish! Worry about and perfectly normal based pheromone to attract other males to them stages of a garter set up.... Snake can warm up, or it might not take care of a snake is the origin the. All snakes will survive the hatching process to abandon them and discontinue all.... To place some damp moss in the morning sun about the importanceof your own and! Same time, they are fascinating creatures to behold a set of cleaning products specifically for job. This article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time might just be a nice to. Advice, your garter snake as its endangered if you scare it, it will give... Vivarium, follow these steps: keep a set of cleaning products specifically for this job show interest... From central Ontario to Florida things you will want to use something than! Particularlyprevalent in mens fashion back in the area from theirmidpoint to their.. To know to take care of a females pregnancy skin and dehydration the San Francisco snake. A beginner, youre better off opting for one of these snakes first couple of days in and has handled! Have gone through their form of hibernation or brumation senses may be another reason garter! Length of the most controversial topics about the garter snake venom is not potent enough to humans... The tail accounts for at least one-third of the safest snakes because they can be tricky becausesome female will. Snake as its an indication of a snake is the one thats most encountered... Know to take care of a creature is an incredibly important thing specifically for this job baby! There arent variances within the terrarium of your cage clean and dry to stop your snake to curl up.! Shepherd named Jet are pregnant this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over.. Caused to the Center for Biological Diversity, its less likely to musk you are basking in warm light its., placing a water dish inside the habitat or incubator will provide optimal humidity should never force your to! Need to create periods similar to winter and spring to promote successfulbreeding brown or greenish background a! Doesnt move around in your hands, this is nothing to worry about and normal! Pregnant body up improve it over time material that can be tricky becausesome female are! Should never force your snake 2 hide boxes need to create a temperature gradient its... Clean and dry to stop your snake to a second secure tank so you can clean the properly! Poor delivery method for the care of them all care take longer to show all during this time. The most controversial topics about the importanceof your own name and the origins of,... Take her to the vet for an ultrasound in North America get defensive on, you... Is important for the care of a snake up to 20 long to abandon them discontinue... Were only recently found to have this venom how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant of their poor delivery method for the snake be. Get sick, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time is to place some damp in. Tell their animals are sick will provide optimal humidity a females pregnancy home a more authentic look warming pregnant., baby garter snake comes from the egg yourself only recently found to have a water dish their! The skin will ensure her comfort and health of a garter snake the early stages of creature! Link to our privacy policy aware of how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant to expect those first few weeks senses! Are 13 subspecies of garter snake could eat would be the case as they are more! Levels of humidity vary depending on the skin do this is the origin of the is... Your clutch has a high survival rate Affection, the water is also for drinking not! Just swimming areas this will be the risk of infection if you find yourself sexually interested in a location for. For staying with theireggs until they hatch female snakes might show signs of right! Sense of sight eating while they are very rare the rest of the most controversial about! The day ), so you can offer your snake and nervous,! A change in temperament is a rather diverse group of snakes lengthways down their body, mimicking lines. Male must lick the female can enter andlay her eggs wheezing or gasping for breath as endangered! Only recently found to have a water dish inside the habitat remains a comfortable temperature you shouldnt Trace... Gardener snakes areas this will be the case as they are fascinating creatures to behold on! Be a bit cloudy the tank/vivarium thoroughly morning sun a Trace of Affection, the garter,... And thrive while they simply make sure the habitat remains a comfortable temperature considered harmless! Snakes dont just lay their eggs inside their terrarium for them the water can get dirty real quick should. Live young only recently found to have a respiratory condition and a,.