Up Close & Personal
Oct 21st, 2008 by Alicia
We all got to meet a lovely little Plains Garter Snake yesterday! Daddy caught him as we were leaving the park in Walnut Grove and he gently held him so all the kids could pet him and take a peek.
A few facts about this little beastie:
- The plains garter snake is a medium length Minnesota snake, measuring 14 to 43 inches in length.
- It is more docile than the common garter snake.
- They breed in the spring and are born alive in late summer or autumn. There are typically 10-70 born in a litter, at 5-8 inches each. Yikes! How would you like to happen upon 70 little newborn snakes, even docile ones?!
- They are voracious eaters and will eat just about anything they can find, even carion at times (especially if it is still warm). Preferred munchies: birds’ eggs, toads, mice, earthworms, fish and frogs.
- They kill without constriction or venom, so they need to have strong jaws.
- They feel soft and smooth when you pet them.
- They pose nicely and are fun to watch slide away when you thank them and let them go.
