EXTENSION GARTER SNAKES In And Z1782 Around The

EXTENSIONKnow how. Know now.GARTER SNAKES in andZ1782around theHOMEEDennis M. Ferraro, Extension Educator, andStephen M. Vantassel, Project Coordinator, Wildlife Damage

EXTENSIONKnow how. Know now.GARTER SNAKES in andEC1782around theHOMEEDennis M. Ferraro, Extension Educator, andStephen M. Vantassel, Project Coordinator, Wildlife Damage

Table of ContentsDescription. 4.Diet. 6.Reproduction and Growth. 7.Predators. 8.Parasites/Diseases. 8.Encounters. 9.Habitat Modification. 9.How Garter Snakes Get intoStructures. 10.Signs of Garter Snakes in andAround a Structure. 12.Snake Proofing a Home or Structure. 12.Removing a Garter Snake from aHome or Structure. 13.Repellents. 14 2011, The Board of Regentsof the University of Nebraskaon behalf of theUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension.All rights reserved.2Garter Snake Traps. 15.Toxicants and Baits. 16.

Figures 1-5.Garter snakes are usually 2-3 feet in lengthwhen full grown. However, Common gartersnakes have been recorded in lengths nearing4 feet. At birth most garter snakes are less than6 inches long. They grow little from birth in thelate summer until their first spring. From thatpoint, they grow fairly fast, reaching a youngadult length of almost 2 feet by the end of theirFigure 6. Shed skin of a commonfirst year.garter snake.Snakes shed their outer layers of skin asthey grow through a process called ecdysis(Figure 6). It is fairly common to find severalof these shed skins in your garden as growing snakes shed three to four times a year. Theshed skins are colorless, yet retain all the fea-

DescriptionHerpetologists reverethem, but many peoplefear them. We’re talkinggarter snakes — thoseslithering, shedding reptilesthat can make us shudder.Herpetologists, those whostudy amphibians andreptiles, appreciate theimportant role garter snakesplay in the natural world.Even if you’re not a fan ofsnakes, enjoy learning wheregarter snakes like to hang out,what they eat — and don’teat, and how best to deal withthem if you find some in yourhome or garden.4Four species or types of garter snakes residein Nebraska. The Common or Red-sided gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis) (Figure 1) and thePlain garter snake (Thamnophis radix)(Figure 2) are found statewide.The Ribbon garter snake(Thamnophis proximus)(Figure 3) is uncommon and is found inisolated areas in the far eastern portion of Nebraska. TheWestern Terrestrial or Wandering garter snake (Thamnophiselegans) (Figure 4) is rare and has been found only in theextreme northwest corner of the state. Garter snakes havecontrasting colored lines running lengthwise down theirentire body; three lines on the middle of the back and oneon each side. The position of the lateral or side lines differswith each species. The coloration of these line patterns andbackground pattern is extremely variable. While commonlycream, yellow, and orange stripes, some may be very darkor even bright red markings (Figure 5). Garter snakes withwhite and bluish coloration have been found in some urbanareas of Nebraska. A rule of thumb in Nebraska is any snakewith a line running down its body length mid-center and oneach side is one of our garter snakes.

Garter snakes are usually 2-3 feet in lengthwhen full grown. However, Common gartersnakes have been recorded in lengths nearing4 feet. At birth most garter snakes are less than6 inches long. They grow little from birth in thelate summer until the

Diet Garter snakes have a wide range of prey and are very opportunistic predators. They are obligatory carnivores, only feeding on other animal matter. They prefer soft-bodied prey such as earthworms, grubs, termites, and other soft insects. If near a garden pond or water source, minnows and fr