How do you identify a garter snake?

The head of a common garter snake will be wider than its neck and usually dark in color. The throat and chin will be the same color as the stripes, as will the belly. Watch closely to observe the color of the tongue. The common garter snake has a red tongue with a black tip.

Similarly, how do you tell the difference between a garter snake and a ribbon snake?

Ribbon snakes resemble the closely-related eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), however ribbon snakes are generally more slender, have unpatterned lip scales, and the lateral stripes are found on scale rows 3 and 4 (in garter snakes they are on rows 2 and 3). They have a plain yellowish belly, and keeled scales.

Likewise, how do I tell what kind of snake I have? Eye color, pupil shape, location on the face, and eye size should all be noted. These three identifiers: body length and width, head shape, and eye characteristics will narrow down the possibilities for species identification. Color is usually very helpful in determining the type of snake you have located.

In this manner, what color is a garter snake?

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

Is the garter snake poisonous?

Garter snakes don't have fangs and aren't venomous. However, they do have a few rows of small teeth and can bite. Even though garter snakes are mostly harmless, they can cause quite a few problems in your home or garden.

38 Related Question Answers Found

How often do garter snakes eat?

While captive garter snakes can be fed predominantly frozen thawed rodents, occasionally they can be offered other prey items such as earthworms, fresh whole feeder fish, frogs, or toads. Adult snakes can be fed once every 7-10 days. Immature, growing, or pregnant snakes should be fed every 4-5 days.

Where can I find ribbon snakes?

Ribbon snakes are typically found in aquatic and areas of high vegetation such as marshes, ponds, streams, and lakes. Since they hunt for ectothermic animals, they tend to live in areas that are mainly water, making it easier for them to swim and catch their prey.

Can ribbon snakes bite?

Behavior: Eastern Ribbon Snakes remain active throughout the year. However, in regions where there is too much cold, they are forced to go in the state of hibernation. They are not known to bite humans or anyone else if provoked. In case of a danger approaches, they either hide in the bushes or take to the water.

How big do garter snakes get?

Most common garter snakes have a pattern of yellow stripes on a black, brown or green background, and their average total length (including tail) is about 55 cm (22 in), with a maximum total length of about 137 cm (54 in).

How long do ribbon snakes get?

16 to 24 inches

How do you take care of a ribbon snake?

Provide your eastern ribbon snake with at least a 20-gallon aquarium so he has plenty of space to move around. Line the bottom of the aquarium with 3 inches of peat moss, cage carpet, folded newspaper, potting soil, several paper towels or large bark chips.

How do you remove ribbon from a snake?

7 Ways to Get Rid of Garter Snakes

Trim your bushes and mow your lawn.
Remove objects and debris from your yard.
Remove any sources of food for the snakes.
Get chickens.
Use snake repellent.
Trap and relocate the snakes.
Build a snake fence.

What type of snake has yellow stripes?

Plains garter snake

Are garter snakes friendly?

Garter snakes are generally gentle and docile in nature–making them a good species of snake to keep as a pet. Most garter snakes won't bite, instead preferring to spray a musk to ward off danger. They are also small, only growing between 23 to 30 inches long, though some have been known to grow larger than that.

Are garter snakes nocturnal?

Garter snakes are generally active during the day. They hibernate in dens in large groups, with hundreds of garter snakes sometimes found together (and sometimes other snake species, according to Beane).

How many babies do garter snakes have?

Garter snakes are ovoviviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. However, this is different from being truly viviparous, which is seen in mammals. Gestation is two to three months in most species. As few as three or as many as 80 snakes are born in a single litter.

How far do garter snakes travel from their den?

Some snakes will travel as far as 32 km or 20 miles to reach their winter den in Manitoba, Canada. It is one of the largest 'Garter' gatherings in the world! The main foods of the Garter snake are earthworms, frogs, fish, leeches, tadpoles and sometimes mice. Because they are quite small, they do have a lot to fear.

How much does a garter snake cost?

Care requirements often correlate with size and physical hardiness: those interested in smaller snakes can find manageability in unassuming garter snakes, which cost $10-$30, while tougher and larger varieties like corn, gopher and king snakes can act as great choices for novice owners and can cost as much as $80.

What is the life expectancy of a garter snake?

10 years

What does a garden snake look like?

The actual name is a Garter snake, and it is one of the most common snakes in North America. Many people have dubbed the Garter snake the “Garden Snake” because it is so often found in surburban gardens. It's basic color is earthy and dark with tan, red, yellow or green stripes down its body.

Can garter snakes be aggressive?

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

Is there an app to identify snakes?

Snake in Your Yard? New Snake Snap App Helps You Identify Them

New Snake Snap app teaches about snakes, identifies them.
Co-founders hope it will help dispel fear.
App will be available for Apple, Android devices in late July.