Why the Garter Snake is a North American Garden’s Best Friend

In North American gardens, not all heroes wear capes. Some slither. The garter snake, often misunderstood, is one of nature’s greatest pest controllers, and with a little understanding, it can become your garden’s best friend. Let’s dive into why this humble snake deserves a place in your backyard ecosystem.

What are Garter Snakes?

Garter snakes are small, non-venomous reptiles found across North America. Their distinguishing features include long, slender bodies with a characteristic pattern of stripes running along their length. These snakes are commonly seen in gardens and forests, where they play an essential role in maintaining ecological balance.

Facts about Garter Snakes

Garter snakes belong to the Thamnophis genus, which includes around 35 species. They are found in a wide variety of habitats, including grasslands, woodlands, and even urban areas. Garter snakes are active year-round in the southern parts of North America, while in the northern regions, they hibernate below the frostline in winter, congregating in burrows to stay warm. In spring, they emerge to mate. Females breed every 2 to 3 years, giving birth to live young in late summer, with litters ranging from 4 to 20 babies, though some can have up to 85. Garter snakes reach maturity in about 2 years and can live up to 10 years in the wild.

Garter Snakes are great for Pest Control

Garter snakes are excellent for natural pest control. They hunt small animals like slugs, snails, and insects—common garden pests that can devastate plants. By reducing these pests, garter snakes help keep your garden healthy and thriving without the need for harmful pesticides.

They Maintain Balance in a Garden’s Ecosystem

Beyond controlling pests, garter snakes contribute to the overall biodiversity of your garden. They are an integral part of the food chain, feeding on insects and rodents while providing a food source for predators such as hawks and owls. Their presence enhances the health and vitality of your garden by fostering a balanced ecosystem.

Are Garter Snakes Venomous?

Garter snakes produce a very weak venom. A garter snake’s bite only causes light swelling and discomfort. However, the snake uses its venom to subdue larger prey items, like frogs and mice

While garter snakes are non-venomous, it’s important to differentiate them from more dangerous species, such as copperheads or rattlesnakes. Always be cautious when encountering any snake. However, unlike venomous snakes, garter snakes tend to avoid humans and are generally not aggressive. Understanding their role in the garden helps mitigate any fears surrounding their presence.

How to Attract Garter Snakes to Your Garden

Encouraging garter snakes to visit your garden is simple. Provide them with shelter in the form of rock piles or fallen logs where they can hide and bask in the sun. A small water feature, such as a pond, will also attract them, as they need water to thrive. Additionally, letting go of chemical pest control methods will ensure there is plenty of food for the snakes, encouraging them to stay and help manage your garden’s pests naturally.

With these tips, your garden can enjoy the benefits of having garter snakes as valuable and natural allies in maintaining a healthy, thriving ecosystem.