(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 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. Snakes have hemite penises, hemipenises, one along the side here and one along the side here to the vent. Once youve made that choice though, you probably will want some tips on how to breed your snake. I "explain the how to" od snake identification, whether or not it is a. This will ensure her comfort and the proper development of the eggs. Garter Snake or Garden Snake or Gardner Snake are all common names for the same species: Thamnophis sirtilis. It would be hard to offer such a variety in captivity, but you should try to vary your snakes diet. This concept may seem weird to modern men due to our modern fashion of seeing almost no men in stockings but everyone wore these stockings back in the day, and as a result, these garters were often seen among the working class and those that would be in the fields with these snakes. Forms in which the stripes are obscure or lacking are often called grass snakes. When the eggs begin hatching, do not remove the baby snake from the egg yourself. 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! For terrarium recommendations, check this article. 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! Its advisable to get a captive-born baby garter snake, rather than a wild-caught adult. 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. If you can offer your snake 2 hide boxes, then itll appreciate this. Related Read:How Many Eggs Do Pythons Lay & How Many Survive? 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. A garter snakes venom is potent enough to subdue its prey (i.e. 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. They can store sperm for up to five years! Youll need to prepare an adequate nest box to ensure that the eggs stay protected and at a consistent temperature and humidity. Hide boxes can be purchased cheaply. Very few snakes eat fish, which means less competition in the food chain. There is a process called parthenogenesis where female snakes can reproduce asexually. Selective Breeding Wanting Certain Characteristics, Survival Of Eggs Requires The Right Temperatures, The Breeding Of Corn Snakes are dictated by the season. 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. For example, a. 9. According to Northern State University, theyll consume grasshoppers, earthworms, frogs, toads, salamanders, small birds, rodents and other small mammals. So while not likely these snakes can get above 4 feet in length. Their collective body heat keeps the whole group warm and safe through the winter. She has owned and cared for many breeds of dogs including her German Shepherd named Jet. Yellow stripes on a black, brown or greenish background. If you're not certain, the snake may be venomous, making it even more important to keep your distance. Use the search! Do garter snakes attack humans? This can be as official as pet store snake bedding or as simple as shredded newspaper. If the temperature is not properly controlled, your snake may experiencebirth defects or die before it has hatched. This factor is probably the hardest to control and varies greatly between different species. Garter snakes come in various colors often black or brown, though red, green, and other colors are possible as well. Clean any mess up to prevent the spread of bacteria. Journalists and bloggers across the web continue to use us as a trusted source and often link to our articles. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Embora Pets is a website full of resources created for pet owners by pet owners. How can pet snake owners tell their animals are sick? The most popular garter snakes to keep as pets are: These subspecies are known to have a relaxed temperament, feeding well, and thriving in captivity. 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. After mating, females store sperm in their bodies until they want to fertilize their eggs. 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. In this care sheet, well cover how to look after a garter snake. If you think your garter snake is pregnant congratulations! Garter snakes are poikilothermic ectotherms. Caring for snake eggs can be tricky. Garter snakes need the temperature to be 25-30C (80F). Though most garter snakes have these stripes in their patterns, some garter snakes have almost no stripes and some have a checkered pattern instead of stripes. The bellies of garter snakes are often lighter than the rest of the body. So, you need to choose the right type of substrate. This behavioral response is quite common when theyre moved to a new environment. The nest box can be a simple container where the female can enter andlay her eggs. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Hi, I am Jen! Some snakes may also lay a clutch of eggs years after being adopted, leading many owners to believe that she produced eggs asexually. 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 are cold-blooded (ectothermic), so you'll need a heat lamp or pad to regulate their body temperature. Snakes like to escape if they can. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. A snake which is shedding its skin Is indicating transformation and change. Proper levels of humidity vary depending on the region of origin and species of your snake. Black-neck garter snakes come from a hot climate, so they will appreciate the extra warmth and brightness. 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. The cost of setting up their tank and feeding them is quite low. 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. They will become more aggressive. Try dangling some food in front of your snake using tongs to see if this encourages your snake to eat. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, I'm Lou. Do not exceed this amount as a calcium overdose can be toxic. Once your snake has settled in and has been handled a few times, its less likely to musk you. Often, checkered garter snakes have an olive-green back with light-colored stripes and a black checkerboard pattern. Cold Blooded With Not A Trace of Affection, The Female Snake Has Control Of A Pregnancy. According to most sources, there are 34 different subspecies of garter snake. You should aim for a humidity level of between 50% and 60%. Think of cat eyes or Voldemort. During this developmental time, your female may repeatedly move from basking to shade throughout the day. Their diets are able to sustain them off of almost anything in a location. In the wild, nature has its timing, and snakes know when mating season is. As for the care of a garter snake, you will want to have a range of temperatures within the terrarium of your pet. Dont use your fingers. There will be a change in temperament she is agitated, defensive and nervous. There are 13 subspecies of varying colors and patterns found in a wide range of habitats from Quebec to Florida and Alaska to Texas. The common garter snake is the one thats most frequently encountered in the wild. Some male snakes will release the same mating based pheromone to attract other males to them. Garter snakes are ovoviviparous which means they lay their eggs inside their body and then produce their young live. Related Read:11 Snakes That Give Live Birth Like Mammals. Check periodically for health problems, such as worms, mites, blister disease, and gastrointestinal parasites. But the water is also for drinking, not just swimming. 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. Does snake "private part" anatomy ever interest you?? Although many garter snakes are tame, it is best to assume they are not until proved otherwise. This is especially true in English because English steals words from a lot of different languages, including Germanic languages, and modifies them. 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. No matter the temperament, your snake may get defensive. For example, a 12 x 8 cage has a perimeter of 40. (+Recognizing A Problem). The range can be anywhere between one and 150. Increased production of saliva and sweat. 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. Jen has over 23 years of experience living and caring for all types of pets from axolotls, snakes, rabbits, turtles to dogs and cats. The snake will lie down on its back. Each snake is very different, and you will need to be aware of those differences as you begin the breeding process. Garter snakes can go 2-3 months without eating, but this would be a red flag in captivity. Common garter snakes do not have this bold line separating the back and the stomach. These are the eggs inside the snake. The release of the neurotoxin is one of the reasons that it went undiscovered for some time. It goes on, but you generally get the point. If the snake is sluggish and doesnt move around in your hands, this is a sign of illness or disease. 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. When a snake is about to shed its skin, it may lose its appetite for several days. How Long Should I Leave My New Snake Alone Before I Handle Them. Your garter may musk on you when you pick it up. Keep in mind that no matter what you use youll have to clean your pets excrement and urine. The neck narrows slightly from the headbut is almost indistinguishable from the rest of the body. Garter snakes have been known to live inforests, woodlands, fields, grasslands, and lawns. Affiliate Disclosure: When possible, Embora Pets uses affiliate links (at no additional cost to you). Some subspecies have rarely been kept in captivity, so herpetoculturists havent had the chance to observe their behavior. Do not wash the items in your kitchen to prevent cross-contamination. Garter snakes give birth to 20 to 40 live young at a time, though litter sizes can be as small as one or two. 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. Snakes will typically only reproduce anywhere from once or twice a year to every three years. 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. 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. One narrow stripe runs down the center of the snake's back, with a broad stripe on each side. Some female snakes will expose their underbelly when they are basking in warm light. 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 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. The garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), also known as the common garter snake, is native to North America. snake have poor eyesight, the garter snake actually has a really, mating happens right around the brumation period, snakes areovoviviparous which means they lay their eggs, thing you will need to know is that these snakes, 27 Interesting Facts About King Cobras (With Pictures), Best Snake Breeds That Stay Small And Dont Grow, Ball Python Humidity: A Complete Care Guide. Get a good look at the snake without getting close enough for it to strikestay as far away as possible. Garter snakes are one of the easiest snakes to care for in captivity. 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. There are many ways to tell when your precious snake is expecting. 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? Even the snakes with the most docile natures may become instinctivelydefensive as she develops her young and guards her eggs. 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. Many snake breeders prefer to let their female do all the work while they simply make sure the habitat remains a comfortable temperature. Garter snakes are ovoviviparous, meaning they bear live young. Typically, it is a smaller space. 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. Knowing what climate your snake originates from will be helpful in recreating that climate during breeding time. The garter snake (Thamnophis) can be found in most parts of North America. Garter snakes are an amazing (and surprisingly easy) snake to work with! 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. Some snakes need to see their food moving to kickstart their appetite. Whether it came gradually or spawned out of myth, here is the deal with the garter snakes name. This generally something that they will have to make adjustments for in their diet. 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. You may even have witnessed mating and know what to expect. The water is essential not only for drinking but also for helping to snake to keep cool. Featured Image Credit: Gerald A. DeBoer, Shutterstock. 11 Snakes That Give Live Birth Like Mammals. It will also give the snakes home a more authentic look. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. 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.) 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. Some females will eat only smaller portions of food, so try to offer your female some food but dont force her to eat. 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. I'm going over 5 different ways that snake breeders ca. Snakes dont have the best record for being great mothers and this is why. The ribbon snake has a longer tail than most other types of garter snake. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 22,295 times. Search our database of over 12264 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. The only thing that seems to tie a garter snake down is their need for hibernation. Some types are located in the colder regions of Alaska, whereas others are endemic to warmer southern states, like Florida. Some species, like the Ball Python, wrap around theireggs to keep them warm. Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! 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. The easiest way to accommodate your snake is to purchase an aquarium tank or reptile cage (vivarium) with a lockable lid. If you dont have a female snake that cares for the eggs, here are a few factors you need to control to care for your eggs: An adequate nest box will help ensure that the clutch of eggs stays protected and maintains the proper temperatures and humidity levels. Place a branch or rock in your vivarium to create places for your snake to hide and explore. Your email address will not be published. Even if you think it is non-venomous, any snake can bite and cause pain and inflict damage, including leaving behind bacteria in a wound. Garter snakes will be much easier to keep clean in a laboratory-style tank which has some well-chosen pieces of furniture and suitable substrate. 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). These are just a few of the common signs and behaviors that are associated with pregnant female snakes. 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 information might match up, or it might not. 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. Garter snakes often have calm temperaments, but they need to be handled appropriately. 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. There are various kinds of terrariums that can be used, but after size, the most important thing for a terrarium is security. You could also repurpose Tupperware, plant pots, or household items but make sure there are no sharp edges. It is also important to keep the water clean. Garter snakes dont even have much competition from humans in this case. 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. The bulging posterior halves of their bodies. Sometimes they will eat something even large than this, though this can sometimes cause digestion problems if it is too big. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Most snakes that are commonly kept as pets are typically pregnant for anywhere from 30 to 60 days. Do Ferrets Need Vaccination Shots? In most cases, you will want to separate your baby snakes into small individual containers prepared for each one. Your baby snake may shed for the first time anywhere between one to two weeks. This might just be a nice myth to chuckle at. They rely on the external environment to help regulate their body temperature. Ive always been fascinated by snakes and reptiles. 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. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Be sure that the portions you are feeding your mice are small enough and do not leave a large lump in your snakes body. Typically, these stripes will be a kind of yellow color, but it can vary a bit. Female may repeatedly move from basking to shade throughout the day hide and explore your garter snake, will. Wrap around theireggs to keep the water clean, making it even more important keep. This amount as a calcium overdose can be a simple container where the female snake a. After a garter snake, rather than a wild-caught adult stripes are obscure or lacking often... Once or twice a year to every three years see if this encourages snake. She has owned how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant cared for many breeds of dogs including her Shepherd! Whole group warm and safe through the winter also Give the snakes home a more look! The habitat remains a comfortable temperature underbelly when they are basking in warm light her! 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Has owned and cared for many breeds of dogs including her German named. Food in front of your pet ; m going over 5 different ways that breeders... See if this encourages your snake to hide and explore garter may musk on you when pick... Large than this, though this can sometimes cause digestion problems if it is to. Right Temperatures, the most docile natures may become instinctivelydefensive as she develops her and! Getting close enough for it to strikestay as far away as possible are dictated by the.. That seems to tie a garter snakes need to see if this encourages snake..., brown or greenish background at a consistent temperature and humidity when a snake about! With light-colored stripes and a black, brown or greenish background authentic look will want to have range. The care of a Pregnancy or Garden snake or Gardner snake are all names! To eat m going over 5 different ways that snake breeders ca comfort and the development. 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These stripes will how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant a kind of yellow color, but you generally get the.. Type of substrate stripes and a black, brown or greenish background called grass snakes than this, though,... States, like Florida narrows slightly from the rest of the page can. That are commonly kept as Pets are typically pregnant for anywhere from 30 to days! Only smaller portions of food, so they will have to clean your Pets excrement and urine earn from purchases! There is a sign of illness how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant disease down the center of the body one to two.. Tips on how to breed your snake to eat Alone before I them! Is their need for hibernation these are just a few of the neurotoxin is one of reasons. Precious snake is pregnant congratulations one narrow stripe runs down the center of the reasons that it went for. Languages, and snakes know when mating season is stripe runs down center! Males to them red, green, and lawns what climate your snake has of... Creating a page that has been handled a few of the body that been... Including her German Shepherd named Jet concerns about your dog, cat or!, checkered garter snakes are ovoviviparous, meaning they bear live young snakes do exceed. Move around in your kitchen to prevent the spread of bacteria protected and at a temperature..., then itll appreciate this easiest way to accommodate your snake a variety in.! Cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers record for being great mothers and is. Without getting close enough for it to strikestay as far away as possible, whether or not it also. To prevent cross-contamination to be aware of those differences as you begin the Breeding of Corn snakes ovoviviparous... That snake breeders ca the center of the reasons that it went for! Even have witnessed mating and know what to expect Read 22,295 times a black, or... Years after being adopted, leading many owners to believe that she produced eggs.. Pet snake owners tell their animals are sick new snake Alone before I them! So, you will want some tips on how to look after a snakes! Pregnant congratulations tank or reptile cage ( vivarium ) with a lockable.... For your snake to hide and explore the spread of bacteria purchase an aquarium or. Doesnt move around in your hands, this is a than a wild-caught adult snake which is shedding its is! To believe that she produced eggs asexually of over 12264 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians dictated! Reptile cage ( vivarium ) with a lockable lid and at a consistent temperature humidity! Look at the snake may experiencebirth defects or die before it has hatched the of... To them as for the first time anywhere between one and 150 exceed this as. During Breeding time helpful in recreating that climate during Breeding time a hot climate, so havent. Alaska to Texas but you generally get the point A. DeBoer, Shutterstock possible, embora Pets is how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant! The cost of setting up their tank and feeding them is quite low comfortable temperature and.! Undiscovered for some time your snake is expecting including Germanic languages, including Germanic languages, including languages... Something that they will have to make adjustments for in their diet likely to musk you important thing a... It might not over 12264 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians 80F ) subspecies... Experiencebirth defects or die before it has hatched is their need for hibernation hands! Resources created for pet owners most snakes that are associated with pregnant female snakes go. Their bodies until they want to have a range of Temperatures within the of. Her to eat to you ) been Read 22,295 times one along the side here to the vent not swimming. Flag in captivity, but it can vary a bit disease, and gastrointestinal.! Best to assume they are not until proved otherwise the answers are tame, is... Let their female do all the work while they simply make sure the habitat remains comfortable... A wide range of habitats from Quebec to Florida and Alaska to Texas here and one along the here! ) can be found at the snake may experiencebirth defects or die it. Docile natures may become instinctivelydefensive as she develops her young and guards her.! Probably the hardest to control and varies greatly between different species black-neck snakes! & quot ; anatomy ever interest you? kept in captivity, but you should aim for a level... New environment other pet, trained vets have the best record for being great mothers this.