The narrow-headed garter snake is a nonpoisonous snake found in and near the cool, clear headwater streams of the U.S. Southwest.

Where are garter snakes mostly found?

Range and Habitat: Garter snakes are common throughout the Southeast and most of North America and are found in a wide variety of habitats, including meadows, marshes, woodlands, and hillsides.

Where do garter snakes like to live?

Habitat. Beane described garter snakes as "generalists, inhabiting a wide variety of habitats." They live in woodlands, meadows and grassy knolls and like to be near water, especially "in the arid parts of the West," Beane said.

Where do garter snakes hide?

To survive the winter, garter snakes will find a safe and snug place underground. They may look for a natural cavity or use a rodent burrow. They also find hibernation areas under rock piles or stumps. Sometimes, they may even look for warm places inside structures and have been found in basements.

How do you find a garter snake nest?

Check for garter snakes in fields, tall grass, under leaves, and logs. They prefer to be close to the ground and camouflaged in the grass. During the winter, you may also find garter snakes holed up in your basement or attic.

Garter Snake facts: live in ALL the places | Animal Fact Files

Do garter snakes burrow in the ground?

Garter snakes don't create and burrow their own holes. They utilize the holes of other animals or natural cracks in the soil. Shed skins may be found in the spring or late summer. Most adult garter snakes shed two to three times per year.

Where do garter snakes go in the winter?

They hibernate from late October through March or early April, but can be found basking on rocks during mild winter days. Common garter snakes hibernate in natural cavities or burrows, such as rodent burrows, crayfish burrows, under rock piles, or in stumps.

Are garter snakes friendly?

Not so garter snakes, the harmless serpents that live throughout North America and part of Central America. Researchers have discovered that garter snakes not only prefer to hang out together, but also seem to have “friends” with whom they spend much of their time.

What attracts snakes to your house?

• Mice.
• Leaf piles.
• Landscaping rocks.
• Dense shrubbery.
• Gaps in your home's foundation.
• Bird baths.

What does it mean when you see a garter snake?

“It's an indicator of a healthy ecosystem, to have a snake in your yard [or garden],” said Melissa Amarello, co-founder and director of education for Advocates for Snake Preservation. “It means you have a friendly yard going on, enough to support a predator.”

Can a garter snake hurt a dog?

Garter snakes prefer to escape when threatened by a predator, such as your dog, but they will bite if cornered. These snakes are considered mildly venomous. ... Your pup may experience some irritation if he is bitten, but it is unlikely to be serious.

What time of day are garter snakes most active?

Considering they spend the winter hibernating, a potential run-in with a garter snake will most likely occur during the late spring and summer. These pests are also primarily active during the warmer hours of the day, like the afternoon, which is when they leave their dens to hunt and bask in the warm sunlight.

What smell do snakes hate?

Ammonia: Snakes dislike the odor of ammonia so one option is to spray it around any affected areas. Another option is to soak a rug in ammonia and place it in an unsealed bag near any areas inhabited by snakes to deter them away.

Can snakes climb walls?

The answer is that yes, some species of snake are excellent climbers, and can climb walls. ... The snake must have something to grab ahold of and push off of. Not even a rough surface will do - snakes can't "stick" to walls the way insects, rats, and lizards often do.

How do you tell if you have snakes in your yard?

1. Shed snakeskins.
2. Snake holes.
3. Tracks in your dust or dirt from slithering.
4. Strange smells in enclosed spaces.
5. Snake droppings.

Do garter snake bites hurt?

Like any animal's bite, the garter snakes' bite will hurt, but it is unlikely to cause serious issues, or even death. Some species do contain venom, although it is not considered significantly toxic to humans. ... However, if bitten by a garter snake, it is best to clean it with soap and water to prevent bacteria build up.

How long do garter snakes live?

The life span of an average common garter snake can range from four to five years. However, they can live up to 10 years in captivity.

Will garter snakes eat mice?

A large adult garter snake may even eat mice. (Unfortunately, they also eat some critters such as frogs, toads, salamanders, and earthworms.) To eat large prey, they unhinge their jaw from their skull.

Are garter snakes aggressive?

Garter snakes are shy. They will generally avoid humans and animal contact and prefer to be left alone. If you have Garter snakes in your yard or garden, chances are you may not even know.

Can a snake freeze and come back to life?

Snakes recovered fully after freezing exposures of 3 h or less that produced ice contents of up to 40% of total body water. ... Only 50% of snakes survived 10 h of freezing and no snakes recovered after 24 or 48 h with a maximal ice content of 70% of body water.

Do snakes come out in the rain?

The rain is favorable for the snake activity and it has been the best rainfall in the entire ecosystem and it gets ticking over a higher level. The wet spring does promote the breeding activities and this increases the food availability for snakes.

Where do snakes go in the winter?

To survive the frigid weather, snakes hide away in dens called hibernacula. These can be the burrows of other animals, holes in the ground, or even someone's basement. It mainly needs to be a space that lies below the frost line so the snakes don't freeze to death.

Do snakes hate mothballs?

Mothballs are commonly thought to repel snakes, but they are not intended to be used this way and have little effect on snakes.

Do fake owls keep snakes away?

Fake owls do not keep snakes away. The only basis of people for saying this is the principle behind some prey-predator relationships in the wild, or the fact that birds are afraid of scarecrow. There is no scientific evidence proving that snakes are afraid of fake or real owls.

Does cat litter repel snakes?

How to Deter Snakes: Stop Snakes from Getting in Your Garden. ... If a snake can't find food, it is more likely to slither on down the road. You can also try spreading cat litter across your property, as some believe it irritates a snake's scales, or using moth balls in the hope that snakes will be repelled by the smell.