3 North American Snakes That are a Garden’s Best Friends

Snakes are grossly misunderstood creatures mainly due to mythology that symbolizes snakes with evil, or deceit. Snake attacks and snake bites causing fatality or injury is another cause for fearing snakes, although most if not all snakes attack only when disturbed or threatened. What many don’t know is how there are several species of non-venomous and non-aggressive snakes who benefit a garden. Yes! As surprising as it sounds, there are snakes in the US which can help keep away pests like rodents who harbor ticks with the risk of Lyme disease. Besides, these three North American garden friendly snakes can also help keep other pests away too.

Snake #1: The Garter Snake

Garter snakes are perhaps the most well-known and abundant of North America’s non-venomous snakes beneficial to gardeners and farmers. While they pose no threat to humans and most pets, it’s wise to protect small pets like frogs, lizards, and hamsters from them. Garter snakes are semi-aquatic, enjoying a varied diet that includes frogs, fish, and eggs. Their ability to adapt to diverse environments makes them easy to attract and observe in the wild. Read 3 amazing facts about the garter snake

Garter Snakes Adapt to Any Environment

Garter snakes are some of the most adaptable snake species, thriving in a variety of habitats including meadows, woodlands, and even urban areas. Their ability to adapt to different environments has allowed them to become one of the most widespread snake species in North America.

They Have a Flexible Diet

Garter snakes have a highly varied diet compared to other snakes, feeding on almost anything they can overpower. Their diet includes earthworms, amphibians, birds, fish, and small mammals. This flexibility in diet helps them to survive in diverse environments where food sources may vary seasonally. The garter snake’s diet is what makes them garden friendly snakes.

Chemical Communication

Garter snakes have a sophisticated chemical communication system. During the mating season, females release a pheromone that attracts males from great distances. This pheromone trail can lead to large gatherings of males, all vying for a chance to mate with a single female.

Snake #2 The Gopher Snake

Gopher snakes are invaluable allies for farmers, targeting the rodents that undermine crops through extensive burrowing. These snakes have a varied diet, consuming not only gophers but also rats, mice, small birds, and occasionally bats. They serve as natural pest control in barns, greenhouses, and sheds, where rodents are drawn to stored animal feed and garden crops. Here are three amazing facts about the Gopher snake.

Gopher Snakes Appearance and Demeanor

Visually striking, gopher snakes exhibit a yellow to beige base color adorned with dark brown spots. While they might resemble rattlesnakes, they are distinguishable by the absence of white bands around their tails. Capable of growing up to five feet in length, their impressive size is no cause for alarm. Harmless to humans and pets, gopher snakes are indeed a fortunate find in any garden or farm landscape. They are constrictors, using their constriction power to overcome prey rather than venom.

Gopher Snakes are Expert Mimics

Gopher snakes are known for their remarkable mimicry skills. When threatened, they can imitate the appearance and behavior of a rattlesnake, hissing loudly and coiling their bodies defensively. They even vibrate their tails in dry leaves or debris to mimic the sound of a rattlesnake’s rattle, which can deter potential predators.

They are Good Climbers

Despite their ground-dwelling habits, gopher snakes are also adept climbers. They can scale trees and other structures to escape predators or to hunt for birds and eggs. This climbing ability also helps them explore different terrains and expand their hunting grounds.

Snake #3 The King Snake

If you live in an area where rattlesnakes are prevalent, king snakes can be your helpful partners. They prey on rattlesnakes and other snakes, thanks to their immunity to venom. North America is home to five species of king snakes, which display a variety of colors, from solid black to vivid, striking patterns. Among them, the milk snake is a type of king snake often mistaken for the venomous coral snake due to its similar coloring. Swipe for three amazing facts about the King Snake.

Immune to Venom

One of the most impressive traits of king snakes is their immunity to the venom of other snakes, including deadly rattlesnakes and copperheads. This remarkable adaptation allows them to prey on and eat venomous snakes without suffering the toxic effects, giving them a unique advantage in their ecosystem.

Powerful Constrictors

King snakes are highly efficient constrictors. They kill their prey by coiling around it and applying pressure until it suffocates. This method of hunting is so effective that king snakes are known to take on and subdue snakes much larger than themselves, as well as a variety of other prey.

Mimicry for Protection

Some species of king snakes, like the milk snake, exhibit a form of Batesian mimicry, where they mimic the coloration of highly venomous snakes such as the coral snake. This resemblance helps deter predators despite the king snake being non-venomous itself, leveraging the fear other animals have of their venomous look-alikes to stay safe.

How to Attract these Snakes to Your Garden

To create a welcoming habitat for these garden friendly snakes, ensure ample hiding spots such as rock piles, logs, and dense plantings where they can seek shelter and hunt. Avoid using chemical pesticides that kill small animals and insects, common prey of such snakes, instead, cultivate a healthy ecosystem by planting a variety of native plants to attract a diverse variety of wildlife. Additionally, maintaining a small water source, such as a shallow pond or birdbath, can help attract both garter and gopher snakes, as they occasionally need to hydrate or hunt aquatic prey. By following these steps, your garden will attract these beneficial snakes to support a balanced and vibrant ecosystem.