Garter Snakes: The Most Common Snake in Texas
Texas is home to a wide variety of snakes, but the most common of them all is the garter snake. Garter snakes are small, non-venomous snakes that can be found in almost every corner of the state. They are often seen in gardens, yards, and even inside homes. Garter snakes are harmless and can actually be beneficial to have around as they help keep insect populations down.
Identifying Garter Snakes
Garter snakes come in a variety of colors and patterns, making them easy to identify. They typically have stripes running down their backs and sides, with some having more distinct stripes than others. The colors range from black to brown to yellowish-green or olive green. Some garter snakes may also have spots or blotches on their bodies.
The average size of a garter snake is between 12-24 inches long, although some may grow up to 36 inches long. They have slender bodies with pointed heads and round eyes that are usually black or dark brown in color.
Habitat and Diet
Garter snakes can be found in a variety of habitats throughout Texas including woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and even urban areas. They prefer areas with plenty of cover such as tall grasses or shrubs where they can hide from predators.
Garter snakes feed mainly on small invertebrates such as worms, slugs, insects, amphibians (like frogs), and even fish eggs or small fish if they can find them. They will also eat other small reptiles like lizards or baby turtles if given the opportunity.
Behavior and Reproduction
Garter snakes are active during the day but will become nocturnal during hot summer months when temperatures become too extreme for them to handle during the day time hours. During cold winter months they will hibernate underground until spring arrives again.
When it comes to reproduction garter snakes mate in late spring or early summer after emerging from hibernation. Females will lay anywhere from 3-50 eggs which hatch after about two months depending on temperature conditions outside at the time of laying the eggs. Baby garter snakes are born fully independent with no parental care needed from their mother after hatching from their eggs.
Benefits of Having Garter Snakes Around
Having garter snakes around your property can actually be beneficial as they help keep insect populations down by eating them as part of their diet. This means fewer pests for you to worry about! Additionally, garter snakes are harmless so there’s no need to worry about being bitten by one if you happen to come across one while out in your yard or garden area.