Garter snakes are opportunistic feeders and will consume a wide variety of food items. Their diet consists primarily of small rodents such as voles mice and lemmings but they will also eat small birds eggs fish frogs and insects. They have been known to eat other snakes including members of their own species.
Garter snakes typically hunt during the day using their keen sense of smell to locate prey. Once they have located their prey they will strike quickly using their sharp teeth to puncture the skin and release a venom that will paralyze the victim. The snake will then coil around the prey and constrict it until it stops breathing. Once the prey is dead the snake will uncoil and begin to eat starting at the head and working its way down to the tail.
While garter snakes are not considered a danger to humans their bites can be painful and may cause swelling and bruising. If you are bitten by a garter snake it is important to clean the wound thoroughly and seek medical attention if the swelling does not subside.
What do garter snakes eat?
Garter snakes eat small rodents such as moles mice and voles.
They will also eat insects amphibians and other small reptiles.
Do garter snakes eat plants?
Garter snakes do not typically eat plants but there are some reports of them eating soft-stemmed plants in captivity.
What is the biggest thing a garter snake can eat?
The biggest thing a garter snake can eat is usually dependent on the size of the snake.
Generally garter snakes do not get much larger than 3 feet so they would not be able to eat anything much larger than that.
Do garter snakes eat fish?
Garter snakes are not typically known to eat fish but there have been a few reports of them eating dead or dying fish.
What do baby garter snakes eat?
Baby garter snakes typically eat the same things as adult garter snakes just in smaller quantities.
This includes small rodents insects amphibians and other small reptiles.
How often do garter snakes eat?
Garter snakes typically eat every 3-5 days but this can vary depending on the temperature the snake’s activity level and the availability of food.
Do garter snakes eat insects?
Garter snakes do eat insects but they are not typically a large part of their diet.
What kind of rodents do garter snakes eat?
Garter snakes typically eat small rodents such as moles mice and voles.
What do garter snakes use to kill their prey?
Garter snakes use their sharp teeth and powerful jaws to kill their prey.
Do garter snakes mate with other snakes?
Garter snakes mate with other garter snakes of the same species.
How many offspring do garter snakes have?
Garter snakes typically have between 4 and 40 offspring.
Where do garter snakes live?
Garter snakes can be found in North America from southern Canada to northern Mexico.
What is the lifespan of a garter snake?
The lifespan of a garter snake is typically between 3 and 10 years but some snakes have been known to live up to 20 years.
Do garter snakes hibernate?
Garter snakes do hibernate typically from October to March.
What do garter snakes do during hibernation?
During hibernation garter snakes slow their metabolism and heart rate and they stop eating.
