Are Garter Snakes Nocturnal? The Surprising Habits of Garter Snakes

Garter snakes are a common snake found in the United States. They live in many different habitats and can be seen slithering around gardens, ponds, and other areas.

People seem to see Garter snakes all day and all night, which begs the question; when are they actually active?

In other words; are garter snakes nocturnal? Garter snakes are nocturnal in the sense that they are active at night but they are also active during the day. Garter snakes are highly active all the time, but they do hibernate during the winter in dens and large groups so you’re less likely to see them around when it’s cold.

To learn more about the habits of garter snakes and where can you find them and when it’s likely to do so, keep reading…

Contents

What are garter snakes?

Garter snakes are found in all 50 states in America as well as Canada. They’re suitable as pets as they produce a mild venom that is not dangerous to humans, but they can still cause some harm if they were provoked or mishandled.

There have been a few reports of mild swelling and itching in people after being bitten. Allergic responses are unusual, but they may occur. If you are stung, wash the wound immediately and completely.

The reason garter snakes got their name is that the stripes on their body look like garters, which are clothing items worn by men to keep their socks in place.

How do garter snakes look?

As mentioned before, garter snakes come in various colors and patterns, depending on their species, but the majority of them have 3 vertical stripes (one stripe running along the middle of their back and two stripes running along each side of their body), and these stripes come in different shades of blue, green, and yellow.

How to identify a Garter snake?

Garter snakes are rather difficult to distinguish. They come in a variety of colors and patterns depending on their species. The colors and patterns of some species are so complex that no two are alike.

When it comes to their size, garter snakes are considered to be small. Their average length ranges from 23 to 30 inches, but in rare cases, they might grow to 5 feet. They have slender bodies with keeled scales that appear as a ridge in the center of their spine, but their most distinctive feature is their two-toned tongue.

Why are garter snakes found in gardens and other habitats?

Garter snakes can be found around ponds and lakes but they also like to hang out in the grassy areas near these water sources. They find shelter under rocks and logs, so it’s advisable to check your garden for their presence before turning over any large stones.

When are garter snakes the most active?

Garter snakes are highly active all the time, but they do hibernate in dens during the winter so you’re less likely to see them in large groups when it’s cold. In terms of activity, they tend to be more active during the day when they are out looking for food but they can be seen at night as well.

What do garter snakes eat?

Garter snakes are considered to be a carnivorous species so their diet consists of a variety of prey including leeches, slugs, earthworms, insects, small fish, snails, rodents, tadpoles, and sometimes even other snakes.

Are garter snakes harmful to humans?

Garter snakes can be dangerous if they feel threatened or provoked but most of the time, they will avoid contact with humans and other animals (unless it’s the mating season). They cannot kill you but their bite might hurt for a little while so it is best not to pick them up.

What do garter snakes do during the day?

Garter snakes are typically out and about looking for food or shelter during the day. You might see them in your garden, around ponds and other water sources, or near forested areas. They tend to be more active during the daytime than at night.

Do Garter Snakes Make good pets?

Garter snakes make for great pets and they are easy to care for. They need a tank with a water dish, some plants for cover, and a place to hide. You can feed them earthworms, which you can buy at most pet stores. They are docile snakes and will not bite unless threatened.

What are the predators of garter snakes?

There are various predators of garter snakes including crows, hawks, crows, herons, egrets, cranes, otters, raccoons, and other snake species such as kingsnakes and coral snakes. In addition frogs and shrews tend to consume younger garter snakes.

Garter snakes sometimes crawl into the water to avoid being hunted on land. On rare occasions, dogs will also hunt and kill garter snakes.

Are garter snakes and garden snakes the same?

Garden snakes and garter snakes are the same species, but garden snakes are different colors. Garden snakes have a lot of brown in their stripes and they’re usually found near agricultural land. Garter snakes are more common near water sources.