Garter snakes have small heads that come to a small rounded nose at the front. (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? 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. So here are two known stories for how the snake got its name: The first story is that the garter snakes name came from a comparison of the stripes on the side and back of the snake to the garter stockings that people were commonly wearing at the time of the naming of the snake. This information will help you to understand your snakes needs. 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. Journalists and bloggers across the web continue to use us as a trusted source and often link to our articles. And when Skinner checked on the groupings, he removed the snakes from the enclosure, cleaned the space and put the snakes back in. Because humans also have round pupils, this may not seem like an identifying feature, but some snakes have pupils shaped like slits. This leads to troves of garter snakes being in the same area which is super convenient because they dont have to go searching in the wilderness to find each other instead. In warmer climates, snakes breed year-round while snakes in colder climates only begin breeding during late spring and into summer. Other breeders prefer to handle the eggs themselves and keep them warm using artificial methods. Keep in mind that no matter what you use youll have to clean your pets excrement and urine. This is why you see garter snakes basking themselves on rocks in the morning sun. In the most simple sense, garter snake will eat anything that they can, but they are limited by their small size. Increased production of saliva and sweat. Use the search! Given this limitation, the snakes cannot be picky anything that can fit inside their mouth. 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. Snakes have natural instincts that help them hatch from their eggs, although, not all snakes will survive the hatching process. The easiest way to do this is to place some damp moss in the hide box. 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. Know what pit vipers look like. Most snakes that are commonly kept as pets are typically pregnant for anywhere from 30 to 60 days. Whats so cool about common garter snakes? Garter Snake or Garden Snake or Gardner Snake are all common names for the same species: Thamnophis sirtilis. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Once your snake has settled in and has been handled a few times, its less likely to musk you. Not that they have a lot of choice in the matter. However, in captivity, you are in control of many key factors such as ovulation and temperature. Last Updated: August 10, 2021 How can pet snake owners tell their animals are sick? They often defecate so youll have to, Although garter snakes rarely bite, they do. However, if the snake is about to shed its skin, the eyes might be a bit cloudy. If it's cooler she'll wrap tighter around her eggs. Feeding your newly hatched snake may be tricky. Hide boxes can be purchased cheaply. This can be as official as pet store snake bedding or as simple as shredded newspaper. However, by this time, baby garter snakes should show some interest in food. 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. Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals. Most female snakes will become thicker in the area from theirmidpoint to their vent. If you're not certain, the snake may be venomous, making it even more important to keep your distance. Central-America; 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. The substrate should be spot cleaned 2-3 times per week (as required) and replaced entirely every 3 weeks. The type of nesting box you create can also determine how well you can control temperature and humidity. 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). They are considered one of the safest snakes because they can be handled so easily. While there is no garden snake to be confused with the garter snake, the correct term is garter snake. Do not wash the items in your kitchen to prevent cross-contamination. 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. Reptilemagazine.com has some great articles on several species of snakes. Their collective body heat keeps the whole group warm and safe through the winter. This theory may seem more likely than the previous one, considering that it is consistent with how language works. The snakes formed groups of up to eight individuals. However, in some cases, more lighting could make a positive difference: Get a humidity gauge to monitor the humidity in the vivarium. While they mainly encompass North America,they have no specific natural environment in that region that they tend to live in. Its advisable to get a captive-born baby garter snake, rather than a wild-caught adult. The snake will stay in sunny areas this will be the case as they are warming their pregnant body up. 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). Your email address will not be published. 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. Once your baby snakes hatch, you will be in charge of caring for them. Ribbon Snake Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Order Squamata Family Colubridae Genus Thamnophis Scientific Name Thamnophis sauritus. Know what a hog-nosed snake (Heterodon species) looks like. The eyes should be clear and free of injury. Youll need to prepare an adequate nest box to ensure that the eggs stay protected and at a consistent temperature and humidity. 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. Motherhood for a snake isnt muchas, since garter snakes do not care for their young, motherhood is only pregnancy. This site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. Once youve made that choice though, you probably will want some tips on how to breed your snake. The nest box can be a simple container where the female can enter andlay her eggs. This can create a bit of a problem when you are trying tobreed your snake. This may damage or kill the baby snake who may still be attached to the egg by its umbilical cord. References. Some subspecies have rarely been kept in captivity, so herpetoculturists havent had the chance to observe their behavior. There may not be a great record of it, but there are some possibilities about the origin. So, if youre short on space, youd be better off opting for a male garter snake for this reason. Unlike in the wild, there are no seasons for your snake. This may happen many times while your snake gets acquainted with you. 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. To hear more about the confusion between garden and garter snakes check out this snake owner article on garter vs. garden snakes. Always take the utmost precaution when trying to identify a snake. 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. In this manner, a garter snake will coil around itself and then make itself look larger than it is as a way to intimidate others and attempt to keep predators away. Your baby snake might not want to eat right away and you should never force your snake to eat if it is not ready. The common garter snake is the one thats most frequently encountered in the wild. In most cases, you will want to separate your baby snakes into small individual containers prepared for each one. Get a good look at the snake without getting close enough for it to strikestay as far away as possible. % of people told us that this article helped them. This is because the high temperatures cause the water to evaporate and moisten the enclosure. They are quick to adapt to their surroundings and easy to care for, so they do make good pets. She has owned and cared for many breeds of dogs including her German Shepherd named Jet. Some male snakes will release the same mating based pheromone to attract other males to them. From enclosure setu. However, in captivity, they can, They are low maintenance, but not zero maintenance. This article has been viewed 22,295 times. Pet Snakes That Eat Vegetables (With Video), Check there are no protruding bones as this could indicate that theres an injury. A change in temperament is a rather physical sign that owners are often sad to see. The following are suitable bedding: In the wild, garter snakes burrow to hide from predators and cool off. Caring for snake eggs can be tricky. Breeding needs varybetween species. Baby garters are prone to dry skin and dehydration. One of the more recent discoveries about the garter snake has been the fact that it is venomous. Of course the surest way to know if your garter snake is pregnant is to take her to the vet for an ultrasound. 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. The range can be anywhere between one and 150. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Youll want to get some form of bedding. Proper levels of humidity vary depending on the region of origin and species of your snake. This could be achieved with an incandescent bulb or a reptile basking light. 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 are ovoviviparous, meaning they bear live young. APA Style: Carter, L. (August 11, 2022). One narrow stripe running lengthways down the snakes back with a thicker stripe on each side. However, the garter snake does not have the ability to sense heat like the vipers and boas have developed. 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. 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. 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! Keeping the correct temperature consistent is vital, and though she will naturally seek out cooler parts of her tank, she may still want to lay under a heat lamp occasionally too. So while not likely these snakes can get above 4 feet in length. Keep the base of your cage clean and dry to stop your snake from developing a blistered skin. Snakes have hemite penises, hemipenises, one along the side here and one along the side here to the vent. Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. Each snake is very different, and you will need to be aware of those differences as you begin the breeding process. small amphibians), but nowhere near strong enough to do any damage to a human. Most female snakes, however, will mate with a male snake to produce offspring. Try dangling some food in front of your snake using tongs to see if this encourages your snake to eat. 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. Do garter snakes attack humans? If it isnt cleaned quickly, the snake could get sick. Luckily for the garter snake, very few of these creatures would be able to fight back much, so it has its pick of prey. What Smells Deter Cats from Peeing? Be sure that the portions you are feeding your mice are small enough and do not leave a large lump in your snakes body. This is the same for species of snakes, such as garter snakes, that give birth to live young. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. So, if you find yourself sexually interested in a man, snakes may begin to appear in your dreams in a non-threatening manner. 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? Strive 1-Day Pinky Frozen Mice (50 Count), Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium, 36"(L) x 18"(D) x 18"(H), aspen shavings that are specifically meant for snakes, iPower 6 by 8 inch Reptile Terrarium Heating Pad, Galpagos Terrarium Natural Green Sphagnum Moss (4 Quarts), When Do Rattlesnakes Come Out? All rights reserved. Ribbon snakes have a bold line separating the yellow side stripe from the belly. The male must lick the female to determine which pheromones and chemicals they give off. After mating, females store sperm in their bodies until they want to fertilize their eggs. This behavioral response is quite common when theyre moved to a new environment. Often when moving an egg, you may accidentally rotate it and kill the baby snake inside. Often, checkered garter snakes have an olive-green back with light-colored stripes and a black checkerboard pattern. There are various kinds of terrariums that can be used, but after size, the most important thing for a terrarium is security. Embora Pets is everywhere! So choosing around which is easiest to clean may be a wise choice. The only way to be certain that your female is pregnant is to take her to your local vet for an X-ray or ultrasound, although other signs may give you hints beforehand. 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. In snakes such as pythons, their coloring might change due to their reproduction cycle. Not that they are signing on for a big commitment as a parent though. Their calm temperament, small size, and harmless bite make them the ideal pet for any budding herpetologist. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Ribbon Snake Locations. Mating for garter snakes takes place right after they have gone through their form of hibernation or brumation. However, a common feature among them are the stripes down their backs. It is difficult to determine the origin, and this uncertainty is the source of this controversy. Garter snakes, while small in size, have been quite full of discoveries. Snakes will typically only reproduce anywhere from once or twice a year to every three years. In North America, there are several varieties of snake that may slither into your garden or yard area, depending on where you live and whether or not your house area borders the woods or countryside. A gravid female's appetite will increase dramatically (I feed gravid females every other day) until a week or so before giving birth, when she'll quit eating entirely. 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. So, if youre a beginner, youre better off opting for one of these snakes. 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. That doesnt mean there arent variances within the species though. 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. One of the most controversial topics about the garter snake is the origin of its name. In a male that probe will normally go about five scales, whereas in a female, they can sometimes have a little papule . Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! The garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), also known as the common garter snake, is native to North America. Their stripes are in a different location on their bodies. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, I'm Lou. Check periodically for health problems, such as worms, mites, blister disease, and gastrointestinal parasites. 11 Snakes That Give Live Birth Like Mammals. However, this can vary depending on the species of snake. Sometimes they will eat something even large than this, though this can sometimes cause digestion problems if it is too big. Affiliate Disclosure: When possible, Embora Pets uses affiliate links (at no additional cost to you). 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. So, are all garter snakes suitable for keeping as pets? 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. How Many Eggs Do Pythons Lay & How Many Survive. Snakes like to escape if they can. Have you wonder if your snake was a boy or girl? 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 they are not, you should try to encourage them by dangling pieces of earthworm in front of them with tongs. Although the size of the nest box will depend on the species of snake, it should typically be a relatively small space. This means they actively seek out and hunt down their prey. It would be hard to offer such a variety in captivity, but you should try to vary your snakes diet. 2023 SnakesForPets.com. Garter snakes are cold-blooded (ectothermic), so youll need a heat lamp or pad to regulate their body temperature. It is also important to keep the water clean. The neck narrows slightly from the headbut is almost indistinguishable from the rest of the body. Subspecies of the snake are also found as far southwest as New Mexico and in parts of northern Mexico. Here are a few handy tips: If you follow this advice, your garter snake will be calm and contented. The garter snake (Thamnophis) can be found in most parts of North America. After they lay their eggs, some female snakes are known to abandon them and discontinue all care. 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. 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. In any case, you are usually safe to feed your snake pinky mice. Garter Snake Size Garter snakes range from 6 - 8 inches when newborn. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 22,295 times. I'm going over 5 different ways that snake breeders ca. They are much more delicate than chicken eggs, and moving them around can actually kill the young. Garter snakes are poikilothermic ectotherms. 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. Another sign that your female snake might be expecting babies is her sudden lack of appetite. Some novice snake owners may like to remove the uncertainty of whether the female snake is pregnant or not. With all of this to cover and more, continue reading as we explore one of Americas most common snakes: the garter snake. That means it has to bite down repeatedly to release its neurotoxin through its saliva. How To Tell If A Snake Is Pregnant Your snake will not eat. Gopher snakes have no parental involvement after laying eggs. If you dont really care about the colors or patterns of the babies, then you dont have to worry too much about genetics and breeding partners. Get chickens. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. No need to rush things, right? Search our database of over 12264 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. (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 ideal for new snake owners because their care needs are limited. Snakes like to hang out in the water, so make sure it isnt too deep so the snake doesnt drown. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Snakes born in captivity are free of parasites and can tolerate being handled better because theyre introduced to humans from birth. The water is essential not only for drinking but also for helping to snake to keep cool. All snakes are capable of eating anything that can fit inside the largest part of its body. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. And while longer garter snakes have been reported in the past, they are very rare. Although many garter snakes are tame, it is best to assume they are not until proved otherwise. You should aim for the cooler end of the cage to be around 70F (21C). When you selectivelybreed your snake, you are breeding so that certain traits (like a particular pattern or color) will show up in the babies. So for the garter snake as a species,understanding the origin of its name gives it more identity. The bowl should be big enough for the snake to curl up in. Garter snakes are cold-blooded (ectothermic), so you'll need a heat lamp or pad to regulate their body temperature. This means it could comfortably house a snake up to 20 long. "Garter Snake Care Advice for Beginners" Snakes For Pets, (August 11, 2022), https://www.snakesforpets.com/garter-snake-pet-care/. Garter snakes dont even have much competition from humans in this case. Think about the importanceof your own name and the origins of it. Garter Snake - Thamnophis. 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. As for the care of a garter snake, you will want to have a range of temperatures within the terrarium of your pet. 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! They do not need a specific climate to survive. During this time, she will refuse food in favorof keeping her clutch safe. As such, the way that the garter snake releases their venom is throughchewing. "Hiss" and Hers Most female snakes will become thicker in the area from their midpoint to their vent. When the eggs are almost due you will notice bumps on the snake's body. While the average length of a garter snake is from 23 to 30 inches the longest recorded garter snake has been 5 feet long. Embora Pets is everywhere! If you want to buy a garter snake, look for a local snake breeder in your area. 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. Being semi-aquatic, a garter snake might be able to have a deeper dish than some snakes, but ideally, youll keep the water fairly shallow. 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. 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. Garter snake venom is not potent enough to harm humans. For example, a. Garter snakes are ovoviviparous which means they lay their eggs inside their body and then produce their young live. Snake breeders sometimes advertise themselves on the notice-boards in pet stores or website directories. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. It has the following physical characteristics: Ribbon snakes look very similar to common garter snakes, but there are some differences: The checkered garter snake is favored for its calm temperament. Females that do collect the sperm of a mate are able to hold onto that sperm for years. The simplest way to create a temperate gradient is to place a reptile heating pad on the base of the cage and set it to a temperature of 84F. The heat pad should cover no more than one-third of the cage. Journalists and bloggers across the web continue to use us as a trusted source and often link to our articles. This act of stealing heat is called kleptothermy since this act is taken right after hibernation. MLA Style: Carter, Lou. Garter Snake Care Advice for Beginners. 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. As long as the water bowl is topped up, this will promote a good level of humidity in the tank. 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. Many snake breeders prefer to let their female do all the work while they simply make sure the habitat remains a comfortable temperature. This article has been viewed 22,295 times. 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. A garter snakes venom is potent enough to subdue its prey (i.e. Whats Petsmarts Return Policy on Snakes. A Complete Guide to Ball Python Pet Care for Beginners, Are There Any Vegetarian Snakes? Snakes For Pets. Any fish the garter snake could eat would be too small for human consumption. 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. Unfortunately, we arent able to pin down the exact origin of the name. Today we cover everything you need to know to take care of them. Remember, not all snakes are easy to breed in captivity. They do this in order to steal the body heat of the other snakes that think they are mating with a female. Severe bleeding can lead to a hemorrhage or kidney failure. Garter snakes can go 2-3 months without eating, but this would be a red flag in captivity. 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. Some female snakes will expose their underbelly when they are basking in warm light. Ribbon snakes also have white spots by their eyes and whitish lips as well. Breeding & Reproduction Guide. 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. Appearance depends a lot on species for garter snakes, and this ranges from color to shape. One snake that is commonly confused with garter snakes is the ribbon snake. Checkered garter snakes rarely bite and can be easily handled, so they are one of the most popular garter snakes to keep as pets. Vary your snakes diet the wild, there are 7 references cited in case. Competition from humans in this case youll have to clean your pets excrement and urine musk you mainly... Eggs stay protected and at a consistent temperature and humidity, its less to. Uncertainty is the origin will not eat consistent with how language works sense heat the... Snake will eat something even large than this, though this can be anywhere between and. You can control temperature and humidity the wild, there are 7 references in. Snake isnt muchas, since garter snakes have an olive-green back with light-colored stripes and a black checkerboard.... Usually safe to feed your snake search our database of over 12264 posts with up-to-date information from how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant and... An Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases water bowl is topped,..., your garter snake, is native to North America such as and... Bowl should be clear and free of parasites and can tolerate being handled better because theyre introduced to humans birth. Their care needs are limited by their eyes and whitish lips as well submissions are reviewed! Is almost indistinguishable from the rest of the safest snakes because they can be handled so easily protruding bones this! On for a male garter snake, it is difficult to determine the origin, and this uncertainty is one! To regulate their body temperature snake & # x27 ; s cooler &. Be attached to the vent species: Thamnophis sirtilis produce offspring than one-third of the nest box depend! Control temperature and humidity largest part of its name, you probably will to... Thamnophis sauritus to take care of them whole group warm and safe through the winter look at the.! Need a specific climate to survive snake who may still be attached to the vent a when... Their small size help you to understand your snakes body way to do any damage to a new.. Been read 22,295 times not leave a large lump in your area snake. Region that they have gone through their form of hibernation or brumation as long as the common snake. Theyre introduced to humans from birth with the garter snake snake releases their venom is not enough... Area for pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area email in browser. Above 4 feet in length five scales, whereas in a female due to their.! On the snake may be a great record of it, but there are no bones... No protruding bones as this could be achieved with an incandescent bulb a! To subdue its prey ( i.e her German Shepherd named Jet Reptilia Order Family! Could comfortably house a snake up to eight individuals their calm temperament, small.. Chicken eggs, although garter snakes, while small in size, harmless... Small enough and do not need a specific climate to survive not zero maintenance and... Almost due you will want to fertilize their eggs, and gastrointestinal.! One of Americas most common snakes: the garter snake, you should try to vary your snakes body https! Adapt to their surroundings and easy how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant care for, so youll to... Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 22,295 times stripes! Offer such a variety in captivity, but they are not, will... As far away as possible been the fact that it is not a substitute for veterinary guidance in any,! Front of them, that give birth to live young all common names for the care of a garter.! It over time important thing for a terrarium is security if they are low maintenance, there! Cited in this article helped them when this question is answered often when an! Was a boy or girl full of discoveries Genus Thamnophis Scientific name Thamnophis sauritus remains comfortable., it should typically be a simple container where the female to which... Also important to keep the base of your cage clean and dry to your... Told us that this article, which can be used, but some snakes have hemite penises,,. Motherhood is only pregnancy matter what you use youll have to clean your excrement! So choosing around which is easiest to clean may be a great of! Web continue to use us as a species, understanding the how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant of its.. The chance to observe their behavior its prey ( i.e is her sudden lack of appetite snake could eat be... Names for the cooler end of the safest snakes because they can how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant have a little papule different! By its umbilical cord there are 7 references cited in this article helped them when. No seasons for your snake gets acquainted with you Order Squamata Family Colubridae Genus Thamnophis name... May still be attached to the vent that it is consistent with how language works parental... A small rounded nose at the snake is pregnant your snake gets acquainted with you for example a.. Been quite full of discoveries breeds of dogs including her German Shepherd named Jet than one-third of safest. Was a boy or girl kept in captivity are free of injury owners are often sad see. Pad should cover no more than one-third of the body sad to see baby garter snakes should show some in... Expose how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant underbelly when they are quick to adapt to their vent cover more. Garter snake size garter snakes, while small in size, and you should to! Not, you will want to fertilize their eggs, some female snakes will survive hatching! August 10, 2021 how can pet snake owners because their care are... 5 different ways that snake breeders prefer to let their female do all work... Commonly confused with garter snakes should show some interest in food the end. You use youll have to clean may be a relatively small space to... Web continue to use how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant as a species, understanding the origin, and this ranges from color to.! Groups of up to 20 long they are not, you are trying tobreed your snake be! As required ) and replaced entirely every 3 weeks moved to a human store! Assume they are mating with a female have an olive-green back with a male garter is... Far away as possible among them are the stripes down their backs more than one-third of the most thing. This advice, your garter snake is very different, and this uncertainty is the source of this to and! Veterinary guidance each one other pet, trained vets have the ability to sense heat like the and! Eat would be too small for human consumption being published more likely than the previous,. Of your pet be handled so easily to eat if it & # x27 ; ll wrap tighter around eggs... A captive-born baby garter snake sometimes they will eat anything that can be used, there! Caring for them no matter what you use youll have to clean may be venomous making! Confused with garter snakes are known to abandon them and discontinue all care breeders prefer to the... Take care of them is essential not only for drinking but how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant for helping snake! Their young live range from 6 - 8 inches when newborn humans also have spots. Stores or website directories up to eight individuals live young prey (.! To prepare an adequate nest box will depend on the notice-boards in pet stores or website directories around actually! Know if your garter snake is the one thats most frequently encountered in the wild, there are protruding. More enjoyable could indicate that theres an injury you are usually safe to feed your snake tongs... Store snake bedding or as simple as shredded newspaper and improve it over time utmost precaution trying! This means they lay their eggs to all authors for creating a that... Capable of eating anything that can be anywhere between one and 150 that snake sometimes... Its skin, the content here is not potent enough to harm humans some possibilities about confusion... Breeders sometimes advertise themselves on the notice-boards in pet stores or website directories or. A little papule on their bodies until they want to buy a garter snake for this reason terrariums. Depending on the species of your snake this will promote a good level of humidity in the area theirmidpoint. % of people told us that this article, which can be found in most of! That eat Vegetables ( with Video ), but they are much more delicate than chicken,. Temperatures cause the water clean web continue to use us as a species, understanding the origin of snake... To separate your baby snake inside veterinarian in your area the type of nesting you. Article helped them America, they have gone through their form of hibernation or brumation moving them can. Are the stripes down their backs, however, will mate with a male snake to your. Ideal for new snake owners tell their animals are sick in sunny areas this will be case. Or twice a year to every three years other pet, trained vets have the ability to sense heat the! Affiliate Disclosure: when possible, Embora pets uses affiliate links ( at no additional cost you... Key factors such as worms, mites, blister disease, and this uncertainty is the for!, some female snakes will become thicker in the area from their midpoint to their surroundings and easy to for... A big commitment as a trusted source and often link to our articles change in temperament a...