how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant

Garter snakes are typically small reptiles, with a length between 23 - 30 inches. They are quick to adapt to their surroundings and easy to care for, so they do make good pets. Because they use their environment to regulate their body temperature, they need to be able to warm up and cool down according to their needs. All rights reserved. The list of acceptable food includes slugs, earthworms, leeches, lizards, frogs, tadpoles, ants, frog eggs, toads, crickets, mice, and other rodents. Most subspecies of garter snake are diurnal (active during the day), so you can observe their activity at a convenient time. Lets take a look. Garter snakes are able to live in all of these environments because they have adapted to each of them. The water is essential not only for drinking but also for helping to snake to keep cool. Garter snakes are cold-blooded (ectothermic), so youll need a heat lamp or pad to regulate their body temperature. While considered harmless creatures, their bites are venomous, though not to humans. A garter snake can technically go months during hibernation without food however on a normal basis the garter snake should be fed every 7 to 12 days. In captivity, you will need to create periods similar to winter and spring to promote successfulbreeding. The heat pad should cover no more than one-third of the cage. Its a big part of your identity, and if you didnt know any of the originbehind it, you might wonder as well. This diversity has led them to spread out and adapt over a fair stretch of land. While there is no garden snake to be confused with the garter snake, the correct term is garter snake. Embora Pets is everywhere! Naturally, since they dont have to take care of their young, there isnt too much of an issue with the number of babies that they have so long as they have the energy to keep up with the pregnancy process. It can cope with a wide range of temperatures so it can be spotted in most parts of America. Embora Pets is everywhere! This site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. If it isnt cleaned quickly, the snake could get sick. Whether it came gradually or spawned out of myth, here is the deal with the garter snakes name. Babies are born 12-18 inches (30 to 45 cm) long and can be up to 3 feet (92 cm) long after one year, according to Stanford University . Snakes do not give birth through the mouth, Exo Terra Repti-Glo 2.0 Compact Fluorescent Full Spectrum Terrarium Lamp, When Do Rattlesnakes Come Out? Snakes born in captivity are free of parasites and can tolerate being handled better because theyre introduced to humans from birth. If your snake continues to refuse food, you might have to force feed your snake, but this is a drastic circumstance. In North America, there are several varieties of snake that may slither into your garden or yard area, depending on where you live and whether or not your house area borders the woods or countryside. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. During this time, she will refuse food in favorof keeping her clutch safe. If the creature is able to resist and fight back, then the garter snake has been seen to use constriction to kill the creature first, but it is rarely necessary so long as they are able to successfully sneak up on their prey. (Most Active Times And Months), Blood Python Vs Ball Python (One Is Much Easier As A Pet), Poisonous Snakes In Arizona (10 Venomous Snakes To Watch Out For), How Often Do Ball Pythons Poop? Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types. I hope that you find this website useful! For example, corn snakes typically enjoy temperatures around 80 degrees Fahrenheitwith the highest being 90 degrees while Ball Pythons typically enjoy the high 80 to 90 range. If you can offer your snake 2 hide boxes, then itll appreciate this. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Although many garter snakes are tame, it is best to assume they are not until proved otherwise. Its uncommon for snakes to overeat. The bulging posterior halves of their bodies. Remove objects and debris from your yard. Know what pit vipers look like. The ribbon snake has a longer tail than most other types of garter snake. Do garter snakes attack humans? It has the following physical characteristics: Ribbon snakes look very similar to common garter snakes, but there are some differences: The checkered garter snake is favored for its calm temperament. If it's warmer she'll loosen up to cool the eggs down a little bit. This can be tricky becausesome female snakes might show signs of pregnancy right away while others take longer to show. This is an exciting time. They do not need a specific climate to survive. Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals. Low blood pressure, a faster heart rate and a weaker pulse. Given this limitation, the snakes cannot be picky anything that can fit inside their mouth. Because garter snakes are non-threatening towards humans, people assume that they do not produce venom. This may damage or kill the baby snake who may still be attached to the egg by its umbilical cord. She may even uncharacteristically strike out at you but she will go back to behaving normally once she has had her clutch. Once you have confirmed that this behavior is a sign of pregnancy, you will want to prepare a nest box (a place for a female to lay her eggs) and keep an eye on her growing body. If there are red bumps around the mouth or a cottage cheese-like substance in the mouth, this indicates that a snake has mouth rot. Proper levels of humidity vary depending on the region of origin and species of your snake. If you're not certain, the snake may be venomous, making it even more important to keep your distance. Always take the utmost precaution when trying to identify a snake. Ribbon snakes also have white spots by their eyes and whitish lips as well. (Most Active Times And Months), Blood Python Vs Ball Python (One Is Much Easier As A Pet), Poisonous Snakes In Arizona (10 Venomous Snakes To Watch Out For), How Often Do Ball Pythons Poop? 8 Potential Methods, How Many Babies Do Hamsters Have In A Litter? Snakes dont have the best record for being great mothers and this is why. You can then just remove your snake and place it back in its enclosure and take care of the bite marks. However, in captivity, you are in control of many key factors such as ovulation and temperature. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Identify-Garden-Snakes-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Identify-Garden-Snakes-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Identify-Garden-Snakes-Step-1.jpg\/aid5538102-v4-728px-Identify-Garden-Snakes-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"