This article will give you an overview of what do Eastern Garter Snakes eat. It will discuss their habitat, diet, and predators. You will also learn how to keep them safe. Here are some common foods they eat. You may have seen them basking in the spring sun. This snake is also an excellent swimmer. Although they don’t eat dirt, young Garter snakes will sometimes glide through the dirt, sand, or fallen leaves looking for earthworms.
Contents
Common foods
Eastern garter snakes are commonly found throughout the eastern United States. Their range extends from the north of the Great Lakes to the south, west to Minnesota, and east into Texas. They are also found throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. They are highly variable in colour, and the adult snakes grow to 18 to 26 inches long. They have keeled scales with a prominent yellow or white stripe running down the center of their body and two less distinct stripes along the sides. Some individuals may be all black.
During winter, common garter snakes hibernate. This process allows them to maintain body temperature. They hibernate in communal sites called hibernacula. In the warmer months, they may be observed basking on rocks or basking in warm spots. During the cooler months, they may skip meals altogether. Consequently, their diets should be adjusted to reflect their daily energy needs.
Habitat
The Eastern garter snake is one of the most common snake species in the eastern United States. It is a medium-sized snake with a green or brown color and a distinct yellow or white stripe on the belly. The females are larger than males. It is not venomous and can survive in many types of habitats, including urban settings.
This species is highly cold-resistant, which allows it to become active earlier in spring and later in autumn. The timing of this activity is closely related to the weather. Because snakes are cold-blooded, they need a temperature range between 68 and 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit to keep their bodies warm. During winter, they typically hibernate in communal burrows or rock outcrops. During this time, they group together in groups called “brumates.”
Diet
A garter snake’s diet varies considerably. Some species are herbivores, while others are carnivores. Some species are good at digesting crickets, while others do not. In general, these snakes eat mostly meat. However, some pet store clerks will try to tell you that your snake can live on crickets.
The best diet for a garter snake depends on the type of prey you can provide it. Worms and fish are not good for garter snakes because they have a low metabolism. Instead, try to offer it mice. Mice are much healthier than worms and can provide a higher calorie content. You should also be aware that baby garter snakes have a slower metabolism than adults.
For baby garter snakes, feed them once or twice a week. You can also feed them once a day. Feeder guppies should be used instead of fancy guppies, since they are less expensive. You can also use goldfish or rosy red minnows, which contain the enzyme thiaminase. You can cut these foods into small pieces using scissors used to cut herbs. For adults, you can supplement their diet with vitamin and calcium powder.
Predators
Garter snakes are small, unarmed snakes that are predators and prey to a variety of animals, including humans and other snakes. Their small size makes them vulnerable to attack, and they often stick to long grass to avoid being picked up. They also emit a foul musk odor if they are threatened.
The ideal prey item for these snakes is frogs, but this is not practical. The vast majority of adult garters would prefer anurans, which would make up the majority of their diet. Furthermore, collecting and using frogs as food is a difficult task, given the depleted population of these animals around the world, and the fact that bait regulations have been implemented.
The diet of garter snakes varies considerably from species to species. While some specialize in specific prey, most are opportunistic, eating a diverse range of aquatic invertebrates, young vertebrates, and birds.
Vitamin D requirements
Eastern garter snakes need a constant supply of vitamin D to stay healthy. The deficiency can result in skin and eye problems. A good source of Vitamin D is sunlight. If your snake is prone to vitamin D deficiency, you can provide supplements from a pet store.
While fish fillet is a convenient food for some garter snakes, they do not provide complete nutrition. These animals cannot properly utilize vitamin D if they eat just fish fillet. In addition, some species of fish, such as goldfish, are known to contain an enzyme called thiaminase, which can cause a serious vitamin deficiency in your reptile.
A garter snake’s environment should include plenty of natural sunlight. Its enclosure should have a temperature gradient that can go as high as 75F (24oC). The temperature should not fall below 75F. The ideal temperature is 86F (30oC). If you don’t have natural sunlight, set up your snake’s enclosure with an overhead heat lamp or heat mat. Make sure to use a quality thermostat to regulate the temperature. Regardless of the temperature, garter snakes need 10-12 hours of light per day.