GARTER SNAKES

One of the most commonly known snakes in Canada is the garter snake.  They can be found anywhere in Canada and central United States and come in quite a few different colors and markings. Garter snakes are usually about 60 to 80 cm (23-30 inches) long, but they have been known to grow up to 135 cm.

Because Garter snakes live in colder temperatures they need to hibernate in winter.  They will find shelter in cracks in the ground where the frost doesn’t reach.  If you go searching for them you won’t find just one…there could be hundreds!  Some snakes will travel as far as 32 km or 20 miles to reach their winter den in Manitoba, Canada.  It is one of the largest ‘Garter’ gatherings in the world!

The main foods of the Garter snake are earthworms, frogs, fish, leeches, tadpoles and sometimes mice.  Because they are quite small, they do have a lot to fear.  They are hunted and eaten by bears, raccoons, skunks and especially birds.  Crows, magpie, hawks and owls can find them very easily from up in the sky.

Garter snake babies are born live, usually 20 to 40 at a time.  The largest number of babies born at one time is 98! 

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