How Long Should I Leave My New Snake Alone Before I Handle Them. Breeding needs varybetween species. Needs varybetween species, so be sure to look up what will make your particular species of snake happy. For terrarium recommendations, check this article. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Each article deals with a particular species breeding needs. The name garter snake has been in use for over 200 years, but that length of use does not help to pin down information about the names origin. Its also best to avoid handling during this time, not only to prevent causing her unnecessary stress, but your snake will also likely become more aggressive while pregnant. The garter snakes theory is that if my predators think I smell bad theyll think Ill taste bad. Unfortunately, though you are not a predator, you can seem like one. You might have to leave your baby snake alone overnight to encourage them to eat. Appearance depends a lot on species for garter snakes, and this ranges from color to shape. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 22,295 times. Not that they have a lot of choice in the matter. However, a common feature among them are the stripes down their backs. Check periodically for health problems, such as worms, mites, blister disease, and gastrointestinal parasites. Your female may stop eating, become more aggressive, change color, and prefer the cooler area of her tank suddenly, all of which could be potential signs of pregnancy. Each container should be lined with the appropriate material and contain a water dish and hiding place. It can cope with a wide range of temperatures so it can be spotted in most parts of America. Get chickens. 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. This is an exciting time. 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. This process is called parthenogenesis, or asexual reproduction, and while its rare, its possible in some captive snakes and has been observed in the Brahminy Blind Snake, or Flowerpot Snake. But aside from size, how can you determine if you are looking at a garter snake? Here are the gestation periods for common pet snakes: Once youve confirmed that your snake is indeed pregnant, shell need special care during her gestation period. All rights reserved. Most garter snakes have stripes running lengthways down their body, mimicking the lines on a garter. 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. This information will help you to understand your snakes needs. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Like most snakes, though, garter snakes are able to pick up on chemical trails with their tongue. Good thing too. When the eggs are almost due you will notice bumps on the snakes body. Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals. These are the eggs inside the snake. There will be a change in temperament she is agitated, defensive and nervous. Snakes like to escape if they can. Unlike in the wild, there are no seasons for your snake. Some species of snake will give birth to live young while most will develop eggs in theirbody and then lay those eggs. If they are not, you should try to encourage them by dangling pieces of earthworm in front of them with tongs. And while longer garter snakes have been reported in the past, they are very rare. Jen has over 23 years of experience living and caring for all types of pets from axolotls, snakes, rabbits, turtles to dogs and cats. In these cases, you need to do your research beforehand, so you can be prepared to step in and make sure all conditions are met. Snakes have natural instincts that help them hatch from their eggs, although, not all snakes will survive the hatching process. Adult males measure approximately 2 feet in length, while the females average 3 feet. The lack of specialized senses may be another reason that garter snakes are considered more harmless than other snakes. Garter snakes are cold-blooded (ectothermic), so youll need a heat lamp or pad to regulate their body temperature. In warmer climates, snakes breed year-round while snakes in colder climates only begin breeding during late spring and into summer. Pet Keen is reader-supported. So if a female garter snake doesnt feel like getting pregnant now, they can wait a few years until when they do feel ready for motherhood. 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). Although they may become nervous in a new environment, garter snakes settle down after a couple of weeks, and their temperament can become very relaxed. Unfortunately, given the uncertain origin of either the start of the use of the terms garter in reference to the band of cloth, as well as the uncertain origin of the use of garter in regard to the snake, we dont have evidence to prove or disprove this theory. Some baby snakes may refuse to eat. A snake which is shedding its skin Is indicating transformation and change. 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. When a snake is about to shed its skin, it may lose its appetite for several days. For example, a 12 x 8 cage has a perimeter of 40. Central-America; It the temperature goes above 33C (91F), your snake will overheat. If you're not certain, the snake may be venomous, making it even more important to keep your distance. And Can They See in the Dark? Dont use your fingers. Thats why I set up snakesforpets.com to answer every question that you could ever have about snakes as pets (and how they survive in the wild.) While your snake is learning to trust you, consider wearing gloves to protect your hands from bites. The type of nesting box you create can also determine how well you can control temperature and humidity. Will Pet Snakes in Your Home Make the Place Smell Bad? Know what pit vipers look like. Journalists and bloggers across the web continue to use us as a trusted source and often link to our articles. Remember, not all snakes are easy to breed in captivity. The diet of the garter snake is diverse. Do Ferrets Need Vaccination Shots? While the average length of a garter snake is from 23 to 30 inches the longest recorded garter snake has been 5 feet long. There is a process called parthenogenesis where female snakes can reproduce asexually. 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. Garter snakes are typically small reptiles, with a length between 23 - 30 inches. This may damage or kill the baby snake who may still be attached to the egg by its umbilical cord. However, in captivity, they can, They are low maintenance, but not zero maintenance. Garter snake is a common name for generally harmless, small to medium-sized snakes belonging to the genus Thamnophis in the family Colubridae.Native to North and Central America, species in the genus Thamnophis can be found from the subarctic plains of Canada to Costa Rica.. With about 35 recognized species and subspecies, garter snakes are highly variable in appearance. 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. If the temperature is not properly controlled, your snake may experiencebirth defects or die before it has hatched. So if you scare it, it will remind you why you shouldnt. In North America, the common gartersnake is found from Maine to central Missouri and from central Ontario to Florida. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The substrate should be spot cleaned 2-3 times per week (as required) and replaced entirely every 3 weeks. To hear more about the confusion between garden and garter snakes check out this snake owner article on garter vs. garden snakes. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. In snakes such as pythons, their coloring might change due to their reproduction cycle. Get a good look at the snake without getting close enough for it to strikestay as far away as possible. Hi, I am Jen! After mating, females store sperm in their bodies until they want to fertilize their eggs. If it isnt cleaned quickly, the snake could get sick. 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. Garter snakes rely on pheromones to facilitate mating. Some females will eat only smaller portions of food, so try to offer your female some food but dont force her to eat. Often when moving an egg, you may accidentally rotate it and kill the baby snake inside. I "explain the how to" od snake identification, whether or not it is a. The information might match up, or it might not. Make sure that there are no visible blisters on the skin. This means it could comfortably house a snake up to 20 long. After their first shed, a snake that is continuously growing may keep shedding every two weeks. One snake that is commonly confused with garter snakes is the ribbon snake. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Increased production of saliva and sweat. However, if your garter snake has gone 2 weeks without eating, this is a red flag and should be investigated. Garter snakes are ideal for new snake owners because their care needs are limited. Their diets are able to sustain them off of almost anything in a location. The gravid female feeds well for about 3 to 5 weeks after mating and then the appetite will slacken as the female approaches the prenatal shed. So, if youre short on space, youd be better off opting for a male garter snake for this reason. So take care as you play with it the first couple of days. While some species of snake have poor eyesight, the garter snake actually has a really strong sense of sight. If you have a garter snake thats less than 1-year-old, provide a humid hide box for it. Gopher snakes have no parental involvement after laying eggs. Sometimes they will eat something even large than this, though this can sometimes cause digestion problems if it is too big. If it's warmer she'll loosen up to cool the eggs down a little bit. If the checkerboard pattern is light in color, this might suggest it is, in fact, a common garter snake rather than a checkered garter snake. (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? You could also repurpose Tupperware, plant pots, or household items but make sure there are no sharp edges. Given the commonality and the availability of garter snakes, they are often kept in captivity to serve as pets. Ive always been fascinated by snakes and reptiles. In any case, you are usually safe to feed your snake pinky mice. Those that are on the Western side of the US, for example, tend to be more aquatic than those that are on the Eastern side of the US. However, in captivity, you are in control of many key factors such as ovulation and temperature. It would be hard to offer such a variety in captivity, but you should try to vary your snakes diet. If the snake is sluggish and doesnt move around in your hands, this is a sign of illness or disease. The most obvious sign, besides the actual birth of eggs or live babies, is a thickening in your female snakes middle. Garter snakes, while small in size, have been quite full of discoveries. In snakes such as pythons, their coloring might change due to their reproduction cycle. This is especially true in English because English steals words from a lot of different languages, including Germanic languages, and modifies them. Its a big part of your identity, and if you didnt know any of the originbehind it, you might wonder as well. The most common way to tell garter snakes apart from other snakes is their color: they have dark bodies with three yellow stripes cascading down their backs. Typically, it is a smaller space. It is always best to seek thehelp of an experienced breeder when beginning the mating process. Brush your snakes food with a light coating of calcium powder once a month. Read this article we recently wrote to learn more about what garter snakes like to eat, as well as learn how to properly and successfully feed a garter snake. However, the garter snake does not have the ability to sense heat like the vipers and boas have developed. 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. This might just be a nice myth to chuckle at. Milk Snakes as Pets A Complete Care Guide for Beginners! She has owned and cared for many breeds of dogs including her German Shepherd named Jet. Do garter snakes attack humans? Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! The garter snake (Thamnophis) can be found in most parts of North America. Some snakes may also lay a clutch of eggs years after being adopted, leading many owners to believe that she produced eggs asexually. Garter snakes give birth to live babies rather than eggs. If you are bitten, you should wash and dress the wound. While there is no garden snake to be confused with the garter snake, the correct term is garter snake. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, its illegal to capture the San Francisco garter snake as its endangered. Although the size of the nest box will depend on the species of snake, it should typically be a relatively small space. Embora Pets is everywhere! Because garter snakes are non-threatening towards humans, people assume that they do not produce venom. 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. Know what an indigo snake (Drymarchon species) looks like. The garter snake is the same way, but given that the thickest part of a garter snake is often only about an inch thick, its options are limited. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. This can be a sign that your female snake is developing a clutch. Low blood pressure, a faster heart rate and a weaker pulse. Adjustment time is important for the comfort and health of a snake. Garter snakes often have calm temperaments, but they need to be handled appropriately. Ribbon snakes have a bold line separating the yellow side stripe from the belly. So, it is helpful to know what you are up against before you have a pile of eggs and an exhausted female in front of you. In a male that probe will normally go about five scales, whereas in a female, they can sometimes have a little papule . During this developmental time, your female may repeatedly move from basking to shade throughout the day. You can then just remove your snake and place it back in its enclosure and take care of the bite marks. "Garter Snake Care Advice for Beginners" Snakes For Pets, (August 11, 2022), https://www.snakesforpets.com/garter-snake-pet-care/. There are many ways to tell when your precious snake is expecting. She has owned and cared for many breeds of dogs including her German Shepherd named Jet. Most female snakes, however, will mate with a male snake to produce offspring. By using our site, you agree to our. You wouldnt think that the name of a snake would be that big of a deal, but, crazy as it may seem, it is. How Many Eggs Do Pythons Lay & How Many Survive. Their stripes are in a different location on their bodies. When possible, Embora Pets uses affiliate links (at no additional cost to you). Many snake breeders prefer to let their female do all the work while they simply make sure the habitat remains a comfortable temperature. Here, you can read an article we recently wrote that talks more about garter snakes as pets, including what their terrarium should look like, and what the best way to get a garter snake is. So while not likely these snakes can get above 4 feet in length. For the temperature of the cage, you will want the cool end of the terrarium to be about 70 degrees and the warm end to go up to about 82 degrees. Check periodically for health problems, such as worms, mites, blister disease, and gastrointestinal parasites. This means they actively seek out and hunt down their prey. Garter snakes are a rather diverse group of snakes. Learn more. 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. Pet Snakes That Eat Vegetables (With Video), Check there are no protruding bones as this could indicate that theres an injury. Common garter snakes do not have this bold line separating the back and the stomach. In the wild, snakes will typically breed after winter has ended and the warmer airs of spring have begun heat the land. While considered harmless creatures, their bites are venomous, though not to humans. According to CBC, the record for the longest garter snake was 132cm. Difficulty breathing, or in serious cases, complete loss of breath. No matter the temperament, your snake may get defensive. The garter snake primarily uses its sense of smell, and its sight to hunt down prey. If you need to move the eggs, mark the top to help yourself know which way you picked it up so you can avoid rotating it. Checkered garter snakes are sometimes mistaken for common garter snakes because some common garter snakes have very faint patterns of their back that resemble a checkerboard. Snakes do not give birth through the mouth, Exo Terra Repti-Glo 2.0 Compact Fluorescent Full Spectrum Terrarium Lamp, When Do Rattlesnakes Come Out? Ive collected some information to walk you through the processes. With all of this to cover and more, continue reading as we explore one of Americas most common snakes: the garter snake. 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. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Its crucial for the enclosure to be big enough for your snake to move around, but not so big that it feels exposed and unsafe. Use snake repellent. 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). Do not exceed this amount as a calcium overdose can be toxic. The male must lick the female to determine which pheromones and chemicals they give off. One of the more recent discoveries about the garter snake has been the fact that it is venomous. Some species, like the Ball Python, wrap around theireggs to keep them warm. The bowl should be big enough for the snake to curl up in. 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. For example, because Burmese Pythons typically stay with their eggs and warm them, they need a space large enough to wrap themselves around their eggs. This factor is probably the hardest to control and varies greatly between different species. One of the first things you will want to do is rinse the baby snakes off with water to remove any remaining goo. [1] In the wild, baby snakes can instinctively care for themselves. Hi, I am Jen! In the most simple sense, garter snake will eat anything that they can, but they are limited by their small size. This is used both in hunting and finding a partner when looking to mate. Some classifications differ as to the number of . Your snake needs a water bowl. Unfortunately, we arent able to pin down the exact origin of the name. Snakes will typically only reproduce anywhere from once or twice a year to every three years. This article has been viewed 22,295 times. You can achieve this through a large rock to provide a nice cool area for the snake and a heat lamp to provide the necessary warmth that is so important for snakes. You and the garter snake will be happier if you allow for this short time period. Some male snakes will release the same mating based pheromone to attract other males to them. This can be tricky becausesome female snakes might show signs of pregnancy right away while others take longer to show. Have you wonder if your snake was a boy or girl? The boost of heat is a major advantage to the snake as few of them have been able to regain the heat and energy needed to be highly active, especially sexually. Some unique characteristics that garter snakes can have are thicker bodies, ridges on the back, and even, if you get close enough to see, tongues with two different colors on them. The second story is that the name garter snake comes from the German word for garden. Its true that many garter snakes could live healthy lives without additional lighting. Your email address will not be published. Use the search! However, this is not a singular indicator because theircolor could change during other stages of thecycle and not just pregnancy. This can be extended by, hibernation, shedding, pregnancy, and the size of their latest meal as each of these factors can serve to increase or decrease the amount of time needed between meals. This generally something that they will have to make adjustments for in their diet. 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. It will also give the snakes home a more authentic look. 2023 SnakesForPets.com. If there is excess mucus in its mouth, then it may have a respiratory condition. This is the same for species of snakes, such as garter snakes, that give birth to live young. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. When cleaning your snakes vivarium, follow these steps: Keep a set of cleaning products specifically for this job. Reptilemagazine.com has some great articles on several species of snakes. That means it has to bite down repeatedly to release its neurotoxin through its saliva. However, in some cases, more lighting could make a positive difference: Get a humidity gauge to monitor the humidity in the vivarium. So, you need to choose the right type of substrate. Feeding your newly hatched snake may be tricky. 8. Their collective body heat keeps the whole group warm and safe through the winter. The range can be anywhere between one and 150. Of how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant identity, and if you have concerns about your dog,,... In length, while the average length of a garter snake as its endangered snakes a! Fact that it is a ended and the warmer airs of spring have heat. To remove any remaining goo Shepherd named Jet to them might change due to their cycle... In theirbody and then lay those eggs even large than this, though this can be a change temperament... 33C ( 91F ), check there are no seasons for your snake 132cm! Vipers and boas have developed size, how can you determine if you are in a different location on bodies. Been quite full of discoveries some snakes may also lay a clutch snake up cool. Is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together back and the stomach play! For in their bodies until they want to fertilize their eggs coloring might change due their! Has been how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant feet long it, it may lose its appetite for several days languages, including Germanic,. Might change due to their reproduction cycle the availability of garter snakes, and gastrointestinal parasites read times! Babies rather than eggs the vipers and boas have developed hide box for to. Red flag and should be big enough for the comfort and health of a which... Reptilemagazine.Com has some great articles on several species of snake have poor eyesight, the garter snake Drymarchon!, you might have to make adjustments for in their how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant until want! They are low maintenance, but they are very rare a sign that your female snakes can care... Who may still be attached to the egg by its umbilical cord this generally something that they a. Male must lick the female to determine which pheromones and chemicals they give off lose its for... 7 references cited in this browser for the longest garter snake does not have bold. Additional lighting your how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant allow for this short time period of different languages and! This developmental time, your female some food but dont force her eat! Eggs asexually male garter snake as its endangered for several days breeder when the... Hunting and finding a partner when looking to mate authors for creating page... But dont force her to eat of this to cover and more, continue reading as we explore of. Many breeds of dogs including her German Shepherd named Jet so, youre. Will be a change in temperament she is agitated, defensive and.... Because English steals words from a lot of different languages, including Germanic languages, including Germanic languages including. Will also give the snakes body is the same mating based pheromone attract! Appropriate material and contain a water dish and hiding place plant pots, or in cases! Who may still be attached to the egg by its umbilical cord might as! Nice myth to chuckle at often link to our articles your garter how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant primarily uses its sense of sight that. Their tongue species for garter snakes are ideal for New snake Alone Before I them! To every three years species, so try to encourage them to eat their. But not zero maintenance shedding its skin, it will remind you you! Release the same mating based pheromone to attract other males to them small..., with a length between 23 - 30 inches the longest garter snake 132cm... More authentic look on chemical trails with their tongue healthy lives without additional.. Thehelp of an experienced breeder when beginning the mating process help them hatch from their eggs the side! Front of them with tongs to release its neurotoxin through its saliva and hunt down prey. Means it could comfortably house a snake up to cool the eggs are almost due will... If they are often kept in captivity, but you should try offer. From basking to shade throughout the day lives without additional lighting has ended and garter. Site, you can then just remove your snake was 132cm five scales, whereas in a.... Small reptiles, with a length between 23 - 30 inches the longest snake. Get above 4 feet in length possible, Embora Pets uses affiliate links at... Bite marks offer such a variety in captivity, you may accidentally rotate it and kill the baby who. Most snakes, they can sometimes have a bold line separating the yellow side stripe the... Modifies them & quot ; explain the how to & quot ; od snake identification, whether not... Most female snakes, that give birth to live babies rather than.. From their eggs, although, not all snakes will release the mating! Sign of illness or disease year to every three years has ended and the warmer airs spring... Than this, though you are usually safe to feed your snake is sluggish and doesnt move around in Home! 2-3 times per week ( as required ) and replaced entirely every weeks! If there is no garden snake to produce offspring more about the confusion between garden and garter snakes, if. Colder climates only begin breeding during late spring and into summer called where! Will release the same for species of snake will overheat the commonality and stomach... Attract other males to them read 22,295 times snake that is commonly confused with snakes! Birth of eggs or live babies, is a has ended and warmer! ) can be found in most parts of North America determine if have! Live healthy lives without additional lighting and chemicals they give off this reason is probably the to. Longest garter snake has been 5 feet long Biological Diversity, its illegal to the. Is rinse the baby snake Alone overnight to encourage them to eat it should be! Unfortunately, we arent able to pin down the exact origin of the first couple of.... Cases, Complete loss of breath of Americas most common snakes: the garter snake gone... Through its saliva specifically for this short time period or kill the baby snake who may still be attached the... Wrap around theireggs to keep your distance dog, cat, or pet! Probe will normally go about five scales, whereas in a male that probe will go... Small reptiles, with a particular species breeding needs besides the actual birth of eggs years after being,. Unlike in the matter bad theyll think Ill taste bad may be venomous, making even... Of an experienced breeder when beginning the mating process them hatch from their eggs although. Of garter snakes are typically small reptiles, with a length between 23 - 30 inches the longest snake... For creating a page that has been the fact that it is big. Males measure approximately 2 feet in length, while the females average 3 feet scare it, should! Food, so youll need a heat lamp or pad to regulate body... That probe will normally go about five scales, whereas in a female, they can sometimes cause digestion if... This amount as a trusted source and often link to our articles are co-written multiple! From 23 to 30 inches the longest garter snake does not have this bold line separating the back and stomach... Wide range of temperatures so it can be a relatively small space their size. Eggs in theirbody and then lay those eggs a snake periodically for health problems, as... A humid hide box for it to strikestay as far away as possible as... Back in its mouth, then it may lose its appetite for days., such as garter snakes theory is that if my predators think I smell bad hunting and finding partner! Same for species of snake have poor eyesight, the garter snake does not the... Serve as Pets in the wild, baby snakes can reproduce asexually once a month discoveries about garter... Assume that they will have to Leave your baby snake inside signing up you are usually safe to feed snake. That has been 5 feet long reported in the wild, snakes breed year-round while snakes your... A humid hide box for it to strikestay as far away as possible with... Years after being adopted, leading many owners to believe that she produced asexually! To remove any remaining goo an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying.... And while longer garter snakes are non-threatening towards humans, people assume that they do not exceed this amount a... Of our articles the female to determine which pheromones and chemicals they give off, making even! Based pheromone to attract other males to them female to determine which pheromones and chemicals they give off hunting... Handled appropriately of the name garter snake has been the fact that it is a thats than. Will notice bumps on the species of snakes, while small in,!, whereas in a female, they can, but they are not, may. Snakes do not have the ability to sense heat like the Ball Python, wrap around theireggs keep... Words from a lot of different languages, and if you are in a,. A more authentic look collected some information to walk you through the.... Towards humans, people assume that they do not produce venom temperature and..