Garter snakes are said to be one of the most widespread snakes that can be found. Garter snakes do not grow to a very large size. Their standard length reaches to only three feet and they are also narrow. They come in different colors. Some of them are plain colored and others have stripes on the body. Some people catch these garter snakes to keep as their pets. If you find a garter snake in your garden and want to keep it as a pet, here are some of the tips that you can use to catch the garter snake successfully!
- Gather materials. Before you go looking for and catching a garter snake, you must be prepared and have all the materials that you need at hand so that it will be easier for you to move and catch the snake once you spot it. You will need a small, strong twig, a container where you will put the garter snake and a small broom to help you in capturing the snake.
- Identify the snake. When you see the snake, the first thing that you should do is to identify it to be certain that it is indeed a garter snake. Garter snakes also bite but they do not have venom. However, you should still be very careful as some people can have a bad reaction to their bite. Once you are sure that the snake you are going to capture is a garter snake, you can already proceed with the next steps.
- Use the twig. Use the twig and wave it in front of the head of the snake. Do this to distract the snake while you use your free hand to gently lift the tail of the snake. Be careful in doing this and do not stand too close to the snake as it can turn its head around and bite you. Once you already have the snake’s tail with your other hand, use the stick to help you lift the whole body of the snake off the ground.
- Use the container. Carefully put the snake inside the container that you have. If you hare having a hard time, you can use your small broom to help you push the snake into the container. Put the lid over the container but be sure to poke some holes on it so that the snake can have some air while trapped inside. If you are not going to keep the snake as a pet, you can release it somewhere else.
These are the simple tips and steps that you have to follow when you are going to catch a garter snake. If you are planning to keep the snake as a pet, you can keep it inside a small aquarium. Make sure that it has a lid over it as garter snakes slip out of the aquarium easily. Read more about garter snakes and how to take care of them properly so that you can give your pet the best care that it needs.