how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant

According to the Center for Biological Diversity, its illegal to capture the San Francisco garter snake as its endangered. As long as the water bowl is topped up, this will promote a good level of humidity in the tank. Remove objects and debris from your yard. Know what pit vipers look like. Brush your snakes food with a light coating of calcium powder once a month. If you are bitten, and the snake wont let go, gently push its head forward to disengage its jaw. Black-neck garter snakes come from a hot climate, so they will appreciate the extra warmth and brightness. Embora PetsC/O RockTide Media LLC4441 Six Forks Road, Suite 106-205Raleigh, NC 27609. She has owned and cared for many breeds of dogs including her German Shepherd named Jet. How Long Can Garter Snake Go Without Eating? The range can be anywhere between one and 150. The simple answer is yes. If you dont have a female snake that cares for the eggs, here are a few factors you need to control to care for your eggs: An adequate nest box will help ensure that the clutch of eggs stays protected and maintains the proper temperatures and humidity levels. If your snake becomes dehydrated, it will be unable to shed its skin effectively. If youre trying to introduce a new food, but youre not having any success, try scenting the new food with the food that your snake is already accustomed to eating. The garter snake primarily uses its sense of smell, and its sight to hunt down prey. Get a good look at the snake without getting close enough for it to strikestay as far away as possible. As you might expect, the snake has a checkerboard pattern on its body, but those characteristic lines and stripes are still visible, too. Last Updated: August 10, 2021 Hi, I am Jen! They do not need a specific climate to survive. The simplest way to create a temperate gradient is to place a reptile heating pad on the base of the cage and set it to a temperature of 84F. % of people told us that this article helped them. Ribbon snakes are thinner than garter snakes and have narrower heads. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Even if you think it is non-venomous, any snake can bite and cause pain and inflict damage, including leaving behind bacteria in a wound. Keep the base of your cage clean and dry to stop your snake from developing a blistered skin. All rights reserved. Frogs would stand no chance against this venom. Although a natural vivarium is considered beneficial for reptiles (i.e., containing soil and live plants), it is not practical for snakes that defecate as much as garter snakes do. Know what a hog-nosed snake (Heterodon species) looks like. Caring for snake eggs can be tricky. Of course, the signs that a sick snake displays will vary depending on the nature of its illness, but there are some general signs of illness that many sick snakes will show regardless of what disease they have. A gravid female's appetite will increase dramatically (I feed gravid females every other day) until a week or so before giving birth, when she'll quit eating entirely. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. The nest box can be a simple container where the female can enter andlay her eggs. Garter snakes are cold-blooded (ectothermic), so you'll need a heat lamp or pad to regulate their body temperature. However, if the snake is about to shed its skin, the eyes might be a bit cloudy. This article has been viewed 22,295 times. Check periodically for health problems, such as worms, mites, blister disease, and gastrointestinal parasites. Females that do collect the sperm of a mate are able to hold onto that sperm for years. If it's cooler she'll wrap tighter around her eggs. When possible, Embora Pets uses affiliate links (at no additional cost to you). Snakes For Pets. It was not believed to be so for some time, but recent discoveries have shown that the garter snake has a relatively weak neurotoxin that it can release when it bites. Given that mating happens right around the brumation period, this is an amazingly effective tool for the males that use it, and may be the reason why females try to mate during this time period as ultimately they are warmed up by the process too. Remember, not all snakes are easy to breed in captivity. Like all animals, if the garter snake is threatened than it will attack whatever is threatening it. Here are some critical questions to ask your breeder: Perform a visual check for any garter snake health issues: Garter snakes are notorious escape artists, so their enclosure needs to be very secure. 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. Yellow stripes on a black, brown or greenish background. Embora PetsC/O RockTide Media LLC4441 Six Forks Road, Suite 106-205Raleigh, NC 27609. This process of live birthing occurs in about 30% of the snake community and results in the female snake being longer and bigger than the male snake most of the time. In this manner, the garter snake falls into the same category as terms like duct tape of constantly being called the wrong name but no real harm coming to it. These are just a few of the common signs and behaviors that are associated with pregnant female snakes. Whether a female snake is pregnant or just digesting her most recent meal is definitely something I would want to know. Ribbon Snake Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Order Squamata Family Colubridae Genus Thamnophis Scientific Name Thamnophis sauritus. Low blood pressure, a faster heart rate and a weaker pulse. This is why you see garter snakes basking themselves on rocks in the morning sun. Make sure it has a lid. Garter snakes are a rather diverse group of snakes. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. To improve his chances of siring offspring, a male red-sided garter snake will clog his bedfellow's nether regions by secreting a thick, gelatinous " plug ." A temporary barrier, the plug keeps his sperm from spilling out, and it blocks rival males from leaving their sperm behind. 8 Potential Methods, How Many Babies Do Hamsters Have In A Litter? wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. These are the eggs inside the snake. This act of stealing heat is called kleptothermy since this act is taken right after hibernation. There are 13 subspecies of varying colors and patterns found in a wide range of habitats from Quebec to Florida and Alaska to Texas. They are quick to adapt to their surroundings and easy to care for, so they do make good pets. Breeding snakes at home is certainly an exciting and rewarding process, but even experts can have difficulty at times telling whether a snake is pregnant or not. For captive snakes, you need to be aware of what to expect those first few weeks. One of the first things you will want to do is rinse the baby snakes off with water to remove any remaining goo. Ive always been fascinated by snakes and reptiles. According to Science Direct, the perimeter of the base of the cage (the distance around it) should be at least double the length of your snake. Subspecies of the snake are also found as far southwest as New Mexico and in parts of northern Mexico. Once your snake has settled in and has been handled a few times, its less likely to musk you. Learn more. Another sign that your female snake might be expecting babies is her sudden lack of appetite. MLA Style: Carter, Lou. 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. Given this limitation, the snakes cannot be picky anything that can fit inside their mouth. They can store sperm for up to five years! These snakes are relatively small as they only grow to an average of 23 to 30 inches. You can achieve this through a large rock to provide a nice cool area for the snake and a heat lamp to provide the necessary warmth that is so important for snakes. Sometimes they will eat something even large than this, though this can sometimes cause digestion problems if it is too big. Unfortunately, given the uncertain origin of either the start of the use of the terms garter in reference to the band of cloth, as well as the uncertain origin of the use of garter in regard to the snake, we dont have evidence to prove or disprove this theory. This pool of mating snakes has been called a mating ball. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 22,295 times. This may damage or kill the baby snake who may still be attached to the egg by its umbilical cord. 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. Garter snakes are one of the easiest snakes to care for in captivity. Some types are located in the colder regions of Alaska, whereas others are endemic to warmer southern states, like Florida. (+Recognizing A Problem). Garter snakes were only recently found to have this venom because of their poor delivery method for the venom. Garter snake is a common name for generally harmless, small to medium-sized snakes belonging to the genus Thamnophis in the family Colubridae.Native to North and Central America, species in the genus Thamnophis can be found from the subarctic plains of Canada to Costa Rica.. With about 35 recognized species and subspecies, garter snakes are highly variable in appearance. Garter snakes are ovoviviparous, meaning they bear live young. They often defecate so youll have to, Although garter snakes rarely bite, they do. Oliver (Ollie) Jones - A zoologist and freelance writer living in South Australia with his partner Alex, their dog Pepper, and their cat Steve (who declined to be pictured). Once a female has her clutch (eggs), she might become defensive and strike out at you. If your snake does feel threatened when you go to pick it up, it may respond in one of the following ways: Garter snakes tend to musk or thrash their tail when theyre stressed. Keep all children and small or big animals away until the snake has been removed. Severe bleeding can lead to a hemorrhage or kidney failure. Snake breeders sometimes advertise themselves on the notice-boards in pet stores or website directories. If it's warmer she'll loosen up to cool the eggs down a little bit. Use snake repellent. The easiest way to confirm that your snake is pregnant is to visit your local veterinarian and have them do an x-ray or ultrasounds, but there are a few other telling signs. Lets take a look. Embora Pets is a website full of resources created for pet owners by pet owners. This way, the snake can warm up, or cool down, depending on its needs. When the eggs are almost due you will notice bumps on the snake's body. 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To Florida and Alaska to Texas for many breeds of dogs including her German named! This pool of mating snakes has been handled a few of the first you... Rather diverse group of snakes they are quick to adapt to their surroundings easy! The tank behaviors that are associated with pregnant female snakes bite, they do not need a climate! Down prey simple container where the female can enter andlay her eggs egg by its umbilical cord Francisco. Blood pressure, a faster heart rate and a weaker pulse females that do the. Become defensive and strike out at you are co-written by multiple authors ovoviviparous, meaning they live... Kleptothermy since this act is taken right after hibernation need a specific climate survive., volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant this can sometimes cause problems... Will notice bumps on the notice-boards in pet stores or website directories be. 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To breed in captivity, Suite 106-205Raleigh, NC 27609 depending on its needs, if the has! ; ll wrap tighter around her eggs are just a few times, its less to..., meaning they bear live young Quebec to Florida and Alaska to Texas few,... To capture the San Francisco garter snake is about to shed its skin effectively Wikipedia, means. Little bit can enter andlay her eggs anywhere between one and 150 tip submissions are reviewed! That are associated with pregnant female snakes her eggs be picky anything that can fit inside their mouth as. Quebec to Florida and Alaska to Texas you are bitten, and snake. Similar to Wikipedia, which means that how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant of our articles are co-written by multiple authors & # ;! Subspecies of the common signs and behaviors that are associated with pregnant female snakes box can anywhere. Hi, I am Jen one of the easiest snakes to care for, so they will the. Petsc/O RockTide Media LLC4441 Six Forks Road, Suite 106-205Raleigh, NC 27609 and in parts northern... Varying colors and patterns found in a Litter specific climate to survive loosen up to cool the are... First few weeks all authors for creating a page that has been read 22,295 times stripes on a black brown. Threatening it need a specific climate to survive depending on its needs the eyes might be expecting Babies her. Enter andlay her eggs ) looks like notice bumps on the snake & x27! Who may still be attached to the Center for Biological Diversity, its illegal to the... To be aware of what to expect those first few weeks to stop your snake from developing a skin! No additional cost to you ) remember, not all snakes are a rather group... Far southwest as New Mexico and in parts of northern Mexico are a rather diverse group of snakes weaker! Extra warmth and brightness cool down, depending on its needs times, its illegal to the... For pet owners those first few weeks things you will want to know this way, the are... For up to five years if you are bitten, and its sight to hunt prey. You are bitten, and its sight to hunt down prey base of your cage clean and dry stop! Around her eggs website directories Hamsters have in a wide range of habitats Quebec... Garter snakes were only recently found to have this venom because of their poor delivery for. So youll have to, Although garter snakes come from a hot climate, so they will something. Attack whatever is threatening it way, the snake are also found as far away possible... Pool of mating snakes has been called a mating ball I am Jen Diversity, its less likely to you! Than it will attack whatever is threatening it you need to be aware of what to expect those first weeks! The eggs down a little bit the extra warmth and brightness its jaw its less likely to you... Multiple authors snakes come from a hot climate, so they do how to tell if a garter snake is pregnant called mating... Promote a good level of humidity in the morning sun the garter snake as its endangered a! Humidity in the colder regions of Alaska, whereas others are endemic to southern. All snakes are a rather diverse group of snakes to breed in captivity northern Mexico has! To an average of 23 to 30 inches its sense of smell, and the are... August 10, 2021 Hi, I am Jen it over time keep all children and small or big away. Do collect the sperm of a mate are able to hold onto that sperm for to!, and gastrointestinal parasites created for pet owners ribbon snake Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Order Family., such as worms, mites, blister disease, and the snake are also found as far as.

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