The Garter Snake Ssscoop

Fast Facts

Non-Venomous But Smelly - They aren’t venomous, but they release a stinky musk to deter predators.

Cold Weather Champions - Garter snakes can survive freezing temperatures by brumating (like hibernation) in large groups.

Live Births - Unlike many snakes that lay eggs, garter snakes give birth to live young! Females usually give birth to 15-40 young.

Great Swimmers - They’re excellent swimmers and often hunt in water for amphibians and fish.

Social Life - Garter snakes often hibernate together in massive dens—sometimes with hundreds of other snakes.

Fashion Icons - Their name comes from their stripes, which resemble garters that once held up socks.

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

Overview

Garter snakes are reptiles found across the United States. Their color varies, but they always have a thin yellowish stripe down their back. They usually grow to be around 20-30 inches long.

Habitat

Garter snakes can be found in meadows, gardens, forests, and they prefer areas near water. They like to make dens under big rocks or other support structures like steps, stone walls, and building foundations.

Diet

Garter snakes are carnivores! These snakes are small and swallow their prey whole so they will eat anything they can overpower. This includes snails, earthworms, leeches, small fish, grasshoppers, and other insects. Occasionally they will eat small birds and rodents.

Hunting

These snakes use their excellent sense of smell and vision to hunt prey. Snakes use their tongues as a way to “smell the air.” They do have nostrils primarily for breathing, but by flicking their tongue they can pick up the scent chemicals of prey or predators close by. The tongue goes back into the mouth and fits neatly into the Jacobson’s organ located on the roof of the mouth. Here the information about the chemicals gathered is sent to the brain and decoded!

Movement

These snakes move by wiggling their bodies side to side in an S-shape. They are very fast and use quick movement to ambush prey. They can swim and climb trees too!

Skin

Garter snakes’ scales are made of keratin, which is what our fingernails are made of! Their scales cover the whole body, even the eyelids. As snakes grow, they shed their old skin. This is called molting.