How Long Is A Garter Snake Vt Fish And Game?

Adults typically range from

18 to 26 inches

in length. A slender snake with a long tail!

How big does a garter snake get?

Garter snakes are usually

2-3 feet in length when full grown

. However, Common garter snakes have been recorded in lengths nearing 4 feet. At birth most garter snakes are less than 6 inches long. They grow little from birth in the late summer until their first spring.

How long is the biggest garter snake?

The giant garter snake is one of North America's largest native snakes, reaching up to

64 inches

in length and endemic to California's Central Valley, where it originally inhabited natural wetlands.

Can I catch and keep a garter snake?

Wild garter snakes usually live only four or five years, but a well-cared-for snake can live for over 10 years. We don't advise buying a wild-born garter snake, as they are shy of people and may never acclimate to living as pets.

Catching wild snakes to keep as pets can also be illegal

.

Do garter snakes bite hurt?

It will hurt, but it won't kill you

. If bitten, be sure to clean the wound completely and get a tetanus shot, as you should for any type of bite. Mike Marchiano, expert in most things that slither, crawl or hop, says it probably is the Diablo Range garter snake (Thamnophis atratus zaxanthus).

Are garter snakes 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.

How long does it take for a garter snake to reach full size?

Garter snakes develop and grow to maturity much faster than many other species of snake. Most snakes reach their mature size

between 3 and 5 years of age

. The smaller garter snake will typically stop maturing around 1.5 to 2 years old.

How big is a newborn garter snake?

Garter Snake Size

Babies are very small, average size at birth is

6-8 inches

.

Do garter snakes bite dogs?

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.

Can garter snakes swim?

Garter snakes can swim

but are not agile climbers; they inhabit meadows, marshes, ditches and damp woods, staying close to the ground looking for insects, frogs, salamanders, fish and tadpoles.

Do garter snakes lay eggs?

Female common garter snakes nurture their young in their bodies until they are born. The mother gives birth to live young,

she doesn't lay eggs

.

What is the rarest garter snake?

The

northern Mexican garter snake

is considered the rarest. It lives in wetland areas with thick vegetation and feeds mostly on tadpoles and small minnows. It is listed as endangered by the state and is a candidate for federal protections under the Endangered Species Act.

How can you tell if a garter snake is male or female?

Those with some experience may be able to identify males by the taper of their tails. According to garter snake guru Jonathan Crowe at gartersnake.info,

males have longer and thicker tails than females

. Female tails are narrower, shorter and taper more sharply.

What size tank does a garter snake need?

Where do garter snakes nest?

Garter snakes prefer tall grass, marshland (near water), forested areas. While in these environments, snakes may seek shelter in

tree hollows, under logs, leaf litter, underground holes, rock outcroppings and/or burrows that have been abandoned by other animals

.

Do garter snakes eat?

Common garter snakes typically eat

earthworms , amphibians, leeches, slugs, snails, insects, crayfish, small fish and other snakes

.

What good is a garter snake?

Why Snakes Are Good For Your Garden. Garter snakes are a gardener's friend!

Harmless to humans, they eat all the pests that wreak havoc in your garden

. Learn more about the shy but helpful gardening helper who just wants to live peacefully in harmony with you—and eat your slugs!

Do garter snakes have teeth or fangs?

Garter Snakes are Venomous

Rather than injecting it through fangs

, they spread it into wounds (presumably caused by those teeth) through a chewing motion.

How do you pick up a garter snake?

1. Use a net or forked stick to capture the garter snake. You can trap them underneath until they finish thrashing and are subdued.
2. Try catching a garter snake by the tip of its tail. …
3. Give garter snakes plenty of support. …
4. Don't restrict garter snakes' movement. …
5. Garter snakes may musk on you.

Do garter snakes come out at night?

Garter snakes are incredibly active.

They come out both night and day

. They are typically ground-dwellers, but they may also climb shrubs, vines, or trees to escape predators.

What age do garter snakes mate?

In contrast with males, female garter snakes seem to prioritize growth and maintenance over short-term reproductive success.

Females reach sexual maturity at 3 years of age, while males are sexually mature at 1 or 2 years

[65].

Do garter snakes live in groups?

While

garter snakes are generally solitary creatures

, they generally hibernate in large numbers to prevent heat loss and keep their bodies warm. Due to their combined smell, a large group of garter snakes in or under your home can make your residence uninhabitable.

Do garter snakes drink water?

Garter snakes need a water dish to both drink water from and to soak in

. Pick a bowl that is large and shallow. Make sure that the water dish in the enclosure is always filled with enough fresh water for the snake to soak. Change the water every day.

How many garter snakes can live together?

While some have kept this species collectively with no trouble at all, play it safe and keep

no more than one per cage

. Cannibalism has also been reported in Checkered Garter Snakes (Thamnophis marcianus) and occasionally with Common Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis).