The first step to understanding what garter snakes eat is to know how these small to medium-sized reptiles eat. Snakes are carnivorous animals, which means they cannot digest vegetable matter. Consequently, snake food such as fish fillet or earthworms is nutritionally incomplete and can lead to a deficiency in calcium. To combat this, owners may want to supplement their snake’s diet with calcium and vitamin B1, which is necessary for the body to break down calcium. It is also important to add vitamin D3, which helps the body process calcium. These calcium supplements are available in most pet stores and are an excellent way to supplement your snake’s diet.
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Small to medium-sized snakes
While garter snakes are generally omnivorous, their diets can vary greatly based on the prey they can find. Many species have a broader range of prey than others. Some species are very easy to feed in captivity, and even young garter snakes can be trained to eat fish or pinky mice.
Small to medium-sized garter snakes are often found in gardens and yards. These nocturnal reptiles are shy and avoid contact with humans and pets. These snakes feed on insects, small rodents, frogs, fish, and tadpoles. They often hide under stones and vegetation.
Garter snakes are widespread throughout much of North America. They are found north and south of the Great Lakes, from Minnesota to eastern Texas. They are also present throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The average adult garter snake is between 18 and 26 inches long and is covered in keeled scales. It has a distinct yellow or white stripe down the center and two less distinct stripes on the sides. Some individuals may be black in color.
Opportunistic eaters
Garter snakes are opportunistic feeders, which means they’ll eat a variety of insects, invertebrates, and even eggs. Although they’ll eat eggs, garter snakes’ primary diet consists of live animals. Their prey includes frogs, small lizards, leeches, and insects. They will grab their prey with their mouth, then coil themselves around it to swallow it.
They live in a variety of habitats, ranging from wet swamps to deep forests. While they are primarily opportunistic feeders, they’re also capable of eating small fish. Unlike their more constricted cousins, garter snakes are cold-tolerant and are often the first reptiles to emerge from hibernation. They usually overwinter in communal dens.
During the warmer part of the day, garters tend to bask on rocks and wood piles. When they’re not basking, they hunt by sight or by hearing ground vibrations. They’re quite agile and rely on their keen sense of smell and steely eyes.
Prey of choice
Although garter snakes do not usually eat live animals, some of them do enjoy consuming small insects. The most common prey of garter snakes are earthworms. While earthworms provide good nutrition, they can also harbor parasites. Earthworms are preferred by the Short-headed Garter, Eastern Garter, and Northwestern Garter, but aquatic garters will not eat them.
Generalist garter snakes live in a variety of habitats and use whatever prey is available. This variety in diet is due to the diversity of prey and the location of the snakes. According to Richard Seigel, co-author of The Garter Snakes: Evolution and Ecology, habitat has more influence on a garter snake’s diet than species, but age and season can also have a significant influence.
Natural diet
Garter snakes eat various insects, including earthworms, slugs, and mice. These animals are not a threat to gardeners, and can often coexist with humans. Some garter snake species are specialized for specific foods, while others prefer to eat different kinds of mice and frogs.
Fish fillet is convenient for pet owners, but it doesn’t provide complete nutrition for a garter snake. Fillets are missing important vitamins and minerals that can be obtained from whole fish. Some fish, such as goldfish, do not contain enough thiaminase, a nutrient essential for garter snakes. Other types of fish contain enzymes that can be fatal to your snake.
Although garter snakes can live in a variety of habitats, they are best found around bodies of water. Although they are harmless to humans, they have voracious appetites when hungry. A garter snake’s natural diet is different in different parts of North America. For example, a garter snake living in central California may be found near small ponds with tall weeds.
Supplements
Supplements for garter snakes can help your pet snake maintain good health and prevent disease. While they can survive without vitamins, garter snakes are prone to disease and may develop parasites if they’re not kept in good health. It is important to regularly dust your snake’s prey items with a 50/50 mix of calcium and multivitamins. However, it’s best to wait at least two weeks before giving your snake supplements. This will help it to settle and start eating regularly.
Garter snakes need calcium and phosphorus. They also need to eat a variety of foods, such as mice and guppies. Some types of fish are good sources of these nutrients, but you should be careful not to overfeed your snake with them. Live fish contain toxins that may be harmful to your snake. If you do choose to feed your snake fish, it’s best to feed it frozen versions. Adding live mice to your garter snake’s diet is also a risky proposition. In addition, it is illegal in some areas to feed live mice to your reptile.
