These relatively small snakes are perfect for children to hold as long as they are supervised by adults and don’t squeeze the animals too tightly. These snakes are friendly and can live up to 10 years if properly cared for and fed.
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Are garter snakes good to have around?
Garter snakes are a gardener’s friend! Harmless to humans, they eat the pests that wreak havoc in your garden. You can learn more about the gardener who just wants to live in harmony with you and your plants.
Where do garter snakes go in the winter?
They can be found basking on rocks during the mild winter months. Common garter snakes can be found in natural burrows, under rock crevices, and in hollow logs. Snakes are active during the day and sleep at night. They are most active in the early morning and late afternoon.
During the night, they remain motionless in a burrow or crevice until morning, when they emerge and begin to move around in search of food. The snake may move from hiding to hiding several times during a 24-hour period, depending on the time of day, temperature, and the availability of prey. Hibernation can last for up to three months.
Can garter snakes hurt you?
Though garter snakes will use their sharp teeth to catch prey, it’s very unlikely these pests will choose to bite a human. They only attack humans when they are provoked or threatened. Just before lashing out at their prey, many garter snakes will release a foul-smelling musk. Gartersnakes are not venomous, but they can be very irritating to the skin and mucous membranes of humans and other animals. If bitten, seek medical attention immediately.
Can garter snakes recognize their owners?
Unlike dogs, cats, rats, and birds, snakes do not have the right type of intelligence to recognize one another.
“It’s not that they can’t recognize each other, it’s just that their brains are not wired to do it,” said Dr. Michael Gazzaniga, a professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, who was not involved in the study.
Can you befriend a garter snake?
Garters make good pets, mainly because they are active during the day. If you want to keep a garter as a pet, experts you shouldn’t catch it in the wild. Garter snakes are not venomous, but they can be very irritating to the skin. If you are bitten by one, seek medical attention immediately.
What are garter snakes afraid of?
Garter snakes are naturally afraid of people, so they will try to stay out of your way unless it’s unavoidable. Gartersnakes are not aggressive towards humans, but will bite if they feel threatened. If you are bitten by a garter snake, you should seek medical attention immediately.
