Virginia’s State Snake!!!

Eastern Garter Snake!!!

 

And she bit the shit out of me!!!

 

I caught one last summer! They’re harmless.
I’ve been bitten by a number of snakes, including a cotton mouth which I had to do a stint in the hospital for. But, I have to catch every snake I see. And I search for them constantly

 

Rough Green snakes don’t bite I agree. But BIG Black Rat snakes and Garter snakes bite when f’ed with...

 

I’ll disagree. It just depends on how they’re handled. I’ve handled both many times. if allowed to calm down once caught, they don’t offer to bite at all. If spooked and handled immediately, they can get a bit snippy.

 

They are closely related to the water snake and give live birth. Both can be very aggressive...

 

I released her were I found her...

 

May the forth be with you!!!

 

I’ve really never experienced that. The garter snake use to be one of the most common snakes found in pet stores due to their docile nature. It was actually the first pet snake I ever got as well. Was a Christmas gift from my dad when I was 8. That’s what started my obsession with snakes, too.

Black Rat snakes are everywhere around my home. I catch many every summer, up to around 6’ long.

But, I will agree with one statement - water snakes are nasty tempered critters by any take.

 

Well I did sneak up on her and snatched her out of the water. She struck constantly while I ran in to get the camera. Then she latched on and chewed me...

 

Yeah I’m not surprised at all. When they’re startled like that, they’ll definitely try to defend themselves. I’ve got a video of the garter above striking at my fave over and over. She never did realize it could just bite my arm. Lol

Back in I think 95 or around there, they discovered the garter actually has a mild venom. Not life threatening by any means unless you’re allergic to them. Kinda similar to a hog nose. There were a total of IIRC 13 snakes they reclassified from non venomous to mildly.

 

“”Garter snakes are among the most common snakes in North America, with a range spanning from Canada to Florida. Often kept as pets, they are relatively harmless, although some species do possess a mild neurotoxic venom. However, it is not dangerous to humans.””

I’ve read in some forums where certain people have complained of slight numbness after being bitten. I’ve never had any reaction though.

 

It’s actually an “anticoagulant”, helps them catch and eat fish...

 

All my neighbors have been burning trash and leaves!! Thank God it started raining...

 

One attacked my Brown Trout!!!

 

Smoothie at the farm!!

 

My friend that’s passed away from CF brought two Sidewinders back from San Diego on his carry-on!!

 

Sorry to hear about your friend. My youngest son has CF. He just turned 14.

 

I watched a show, can’t remember what country it was or it’s name. It looks exactly like a Garter snake and is deadly!!!

 

I specialize in Honduran Milksnake color variants. I’ve had up to 25 once my eggs hatched. Now I just have one pair of Tangerines, that’s enough because they get big. And here you can only keep a native snake for 60 days then it has to be released where you found it....

 

Beautiful snake!

 

This one has a pimple. Just poped it and it will go away during the next shed. Keep them dry and warm. Will take them outside tomorrow to play in the grass and smell the rain!!!

 

Tame but squirmy....

 

Red touches Black your alright Jack!!!

 

Up until a few years ago I had a three pet corn snakes, a lavender, okeetee, and an albino. I had them for many years.
Now I just catch them and let the kids and wife touch them a little and let them go. I always try to educate people on them so they will stop killing them every chance they get.