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Garter Snakes

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Garter Snakes at PAWS
Garter snakes are usually brought to PAWS after they have been attacked by domestic cats.  Occasionally a snake is brought to PAWS who has been injured by a lawn mower. PAWS gives them medical care to help them get better in order to release them back into the wild.

Fun Facts

  • There are many distinct Species of Garter Snakes.  At least 3 can be found in Washington State.
  • The Garter Snake is not venomous. The only snake found in Washington that is venomous is the Western Rattlesnake.
  • The Garter Snake is the most widespread reptile in North America.
  • Garter Snakes have special jaw hinges that allow them to swallow things wider than their bodies.
  • By collecting scent particles with their forked tongue and placing them on special organs in the mouth, Garter Snakes can "taste" the air to help them locate prey.
  • Garter Snakes, like other snakes, shed their old skin a few times each year.

Description
Garter Snakes are a greenish brown to black with two bright stripes running down their backs.  These stripes can be bright yellow or light green. Sometimes there is a third stripe between these others that can range from red to green.  Their bellies are a slightly lighter version of their back color.  Garter Snakes can be about 15 to 26 inches long. Garter Snakes are silent, and do not even make a hissing sound.

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Home
Garter Snakes can live in a wide variety of habitats, including meadows, rocky slopes in the mountains and brushy thickets in cities.  In any type of Habitat Garter Snakes prefer to be near water. Garter Snakes use dens for resting during the warm months and hibernating during the cold, winter months.  Their dens can be spaces under logs or rocks, previously used animal burrows or special dens made for them by kind people.  Snakes will share a den during hibernation and use the same den for many years.


Family
Garter Snakes are born in the summer and early fall. Young Garter snakes are born alive, meaning they don't come from eggs.  There are usually 10 to 18 in a litter, but this can be higher. Young Garter Snakes primarily eat earthworms.

Not very much is known about how long Garter Snakes can live in the wild.  While snakes are predators, they are also prey to many other animals including coyotes, foxes, opossums, raccoons, Great Blue Herons, hawks and owls. They also face human-related danger including cars and pets.

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Food & Water
Garter Snakes eat eggs, mice, voles, slugs and snails.  They also eat bugs, frogs, fish and lizards. Garter Snakes need fresh water for drinking and find much of their food near natural water sources. 


Living with Garter Snakes
If your family is having a conflict with Garter Snakes, or you found a snake who you think is injured or Orphaned, you can get free help by calling the PAWS Wildlife Center at 425.787.2500 x817.

Garter Snakes and other wild animals do not make good pets.  It's also against the law to keep them in your home.  To find out why, check out the wild animals as pets.


Want to Know More?
Learn more about wildlife at PAWS' main website.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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