Garter Snake, The Best Pet Snake?

[@Skulexander]

Not to mention they're one of the VERY few kinds of snakes that can be kept together. In fact, people who are avid garter snake keepers tend to notice they even do better together rather than alone.

[@MakeHappyFaces]

Alexander Taylor Right! 2 or 3 males to 1 female is a perfect set up.

[@nightingaleseraph]

I've noticed this in racers.

[@chrissychaos69]

My garter snakes cuddle with eachother it's the cutest thing ever!

[@Cyrilcynder1]

My hatchling do WAAAYYYYYYY better together rather than alone. They love to be together, and cuddle up together. Chill in water bowls together. They are so much more happy together

[@Kopa_Malphas]

Gerters are social snakes, so having 2-3 in a tank is a good thing :)

[@ameliasmenagerie3350]

Little tip for getting the scent of musk off is mix salt and lemon juice and rub it allll over the area you got musked on, and it will remove the odor.

[@thamnophisrex5895]

Do baby wipes work?

[@thesalmon6890]

That may be one of the most helpful things anyone has ever commented. 😂

[@TheFatefulOne]

Effected area: eyes Result:

[@goodolboy0150]

Amelia's Menagerie Kiefer that I actually have a pet garter snake

[@tmsprague1220]

Another thing thats always worked for me is shaving cream. Also with this a small can will last u for years.

[@VoloKnits]

because of this channel and snake discovery I now have 2 little baby garters, so very happy with them =)

[@consul.5557]

Monica Jean Make sure to keep them together, I think they like it.

[@urmom-qr7ub]

Ivan unless there a girl and boy so no accidental babies of coarse unless he’s trying to breed them

[@gegneg3646]

How are they doing now?

[@pascal590]

Monica Jean where did you get yours??

[@evasmithturton5208]

They do love being together and are so cute

[@Ronasaur]

I once had a wild garter as a weekend pet. What suprised me was how inquisitive and chill he was with being handled. He would just watch tv with me for hours. They are truely wonderful!

[@cohenissussy118]

Im keeping wild ones right now there pretty easy to take care of

[@KaylaKasel]

How do you catch a wild one? And also make sure they're safe (less risk of parasites, and diseases, etc.) I'm so curious, they sound wonderful!

[@Purplesquigglystripe]

@@KaylaKasel you’ll see them basking in the afternoon sun on trails or roads. If you’re fast, you can grab one. Though it’s probably best to get a captive bred one. My dad caught a couple when I was a kid and now, I’m surprised that they were able to shed just fine in their enclosures. They were later “accidentally “ released back to the wild.

[@courtbrooks9342]

@@KaylaKasel they're actually less likely to have parasites if they're wild as they're adapted to them

[@honey-po9ij]

@@courtbrooks9342 extremely untrue

[@tacklebox5374]

My grandma used to keep families of garter snakes under her porch. They'd pop their little heads out during summer when all of us kids were out running around the yard. They wouldn't get close to us but they always seemed slightly curious of the big hairless creatures running around. 😂 I've always thought they were such adorable and interesting snakes.

[@vintagestealth8802]

That red one is extremely pretty, and would defiantly be one that I want.

[@ClintsReptiles]

That is the California red sided garter. Here is a great place to go to get one: facebook.com/DonsGarterSnakes/

[@Crimsoncow99]

are cali red sided gaters the same as san fran gaters?

[@dancarlton7973]

Tyler, probably not but maybe almost. The more colorful San Frans garter snakes are extremely rare and I believe they're protected by both Calif. and federal law.

[@foxplays1263]

VintageStealth those ones are rare they are called the sanfrancico garter snake but I agree 😀😐

[@jarongittinger]

VintageStealth *definitely

[@mscarolynnigro]

I spoke kindly to a garter snake in one of my flower beds ...and then again when I saw it the next day. It raised its head and looked at me as I addressed it. In the afternoon it was sitting boldly on my front steps sunning itself , and stayed there calmly as I stepped over it. Are they typically so friendly?

[@frytka2280]

Yes they are very friendly

[@kroakie4]

They’re pretty easy to tame and become accustomed to humans pretty quickly. As long as you don’t move too quickly you shouldn’t scare them.

[@n.c.herping6435]

Today i found one sitting around and since ima Herper I tried to grab him and he only bit me when I held him. As long as you are not grabbing them they don’t care

[@matthewotremba9230]

snake wisperer

[@Kazeteiru]

Some individuals get very personable once they learn you won't bother them. One guy I knew would collect earthworms and hand feed a garter snake that lived under his concrete steps.

[@kated3165]

I got musked (and bit) more than once as a kid! They are the only snake native to Quebec, and I used to be totally fascinated by them. They were tamest in late fall, when the temperature would drop to ''pretty darn cold for any reptile''. At first they'd panic, then they'd realize your hand was warmer than anything else they'd encountered in a while and would wrap around it and no longer want to move from there. They'd be in no hurry to go back to the cold ground where they belonged! :P

[@squirrel670]

Cute

[@stephen3073]

When I was a kid back in the late Bronze age, I used to catch garter snakes and keep them in a big terrarium for a few weeks in the summer. I fed them nightcrawlers and chub minnows mostly, and those little guys were voracious! I always took them back later to the same place I found them, so I could sort of rotate the stock. I've always has a soft spot for these beautiful little critters, and still do.

[@KummFart]

Odd, these are native where I live and I've never considered them as a pet

[@gingermcgingin1733]

My mom apparently kept one as a pet when she was young. Which is odd, because she hates snakes (reptiles in general, really).

[@timbos7592]

Clint's video formula: Make top 5 list, make 5 videos elaborating. Great formula for people who do not want to have in-depth information on all the reptiles in the list. Keep it up Clint very informative! I have a question as someone getting into Herpentology and preparing for their first reptile. I have decided that I want to start with a Leopard Gecko after watching your videos. I will be attending an expo on 01/04/2018. What are telltale signs of an unhealthy Gecko and how do I differentiate gender? Thanks!

[@grapeleopard165]

Tim Bos how was it? I bought mine on the 22nd of this month

[@jonrucker4016]

Seriously man, i think you should have way over 8k subs... people probably just see the quality of the production of these videos and just assume you have more. Great work man, love these videos

[@Katalystic]

Damn, he went from 8k to 336k in 3 years? That’s really impressive

[@kellyp2212]

Ever since your 5 best snakes video, Ive wanted a garter snake. I always loved playing with the garter snakes in my yard growing up and i would love to have one 😊

[@ClintsReptiles]

They are just amazing! So underrated.

[@aleksandrafurczon543]

Yes I had a garter snake friend who recently died. Rip Gage.

[@princekatchafire9104]

It is absolutely one of the favorite pet snakes to ever have! Sadly underrated but a joy to watch and have. Highly recommend and love these guys!❤️

[@mantidream8179]

I love seeing these things in the wild. I live in Washington state and don't encounter many snakes, but seeing these little guys flitting through the grass is always a treat.

[@billsexotics4323]

I love Garter Snakes! I have to say that CAPTIVE BRED Garter Snakes are so expensive especially the red sides, the flames , the bright blues and the albino radix garter snakes. Good Vid!

[@jacobbruce3788]

I used to have a green garter snake and he was so nice. He was so calm and it almost seemed like he enjoyed being handled. I remember putting smaller gold fish in his water bowl so he could hunt and it was so cool to watch him go. His name was Tom, and he unfortunately died after 9 years of a good life and plenty of good food. I miss him a lot so I’ve been considering getting another one but life is so hectic I’m afraid I wouldn’t have time him/her.

[@jacobbruce3788]

Time for* him/her.

[@SlabbyMess]

9 years wow!?

[@Kieorasama]

I’ve caught an albino garter snake. We had a garden at the time. I let him go there under the plants and such. I figured he could keeps things away that didn’t belong there. I was a kid. I used to catch frogs also!

[@Meow-pf6ff]

Catching frogs is so fun

[@0walleye0]

My first and only snake so far I had when I was a teen, was a ribbon snake. Very close to these garters. It never bit me, never musked, and loved to eat fish out of his water bowl and loved cleaning day so he could explore the bathroom on his own while I cleaned his tank. The major reason I'm looking into snakes now is so my daughter can have a similar experience with them.

[@HomeSlice97]

If I ever end up getting a snake, it will probably be one (or more) of these. I love the fact that they don’t need rodent feeders, and the fishing behavior is really cool!

[@NimbusDX]

Garter snakes are my FAVORITE kind of snake. They are absolutely gorgeous, even the wild-type colorations. There is no need for a bunch of designer morphs to get a very eye-catching snake. It’s crazy to me that they are not more popular in the pet keeping world.

[@SuprememessageNG]

The common garter snake is my state reptile and is absolutely one of my favorite snakes. My childhood home had a cobblestone wall out front and garter snakes liked to hide in the cracks, I'd go watch them and they really got me into reptiles.

[@citycritteradventures7427]

this is the classic clint! full of exuberant jubilance! and you're still like that, although more seasoned! keep up the great work being you!

[@sjk160]

As a kid I kept a few together and loved having them as summer pets!(secretly from mom) until one day the one started popping out babies like crazy! It’s still one of my favorite memories and I’ll always have a place for these snakes

[@d1moabz28]

This is the best series on the channel!

[@ClintsReptiles]

You must be a snake person :)

[@Mama_Russia]

Clint, you weren't kidding. I went to two expos recently, no garters. I search online, all major snake stores out of stock of garters. If anyone reads this, do you know a place/breeder to buy garters? Any recommendations? I've been looking for half a year now, haha

[@AP-ez3vq]

I’m having this same issue 😩 , I know he got i from that Facebook page but I didn’t see an actual webpage

[@samschmitt1743]

Amor your backyard

[@samschmitt1743]

I went online looking for one and never found one so then I just set up a board in my backyard waited for about a week and caught one I’ve had it for about three years now and it’s doing great

[@Osprey9723]

Sam Schmitt can you tell me how you caught it? I might try the same thing

[@21panickingchemicalfallout84]

I've been looking for awhile too

[@iratevagabond204]

Recently rented a skid steer and graded my yard. Ran into a little garter while tearing up my lawn, and he slithered right off my raised bucket and onto the cab. Naturally I stopped what I was doing and went to find him, to keep from running him over. He looked like he had a tough time of it sometime in the past, seemingly having lost part of his tail at some point, but it was healed. Moved the little guy to a nice spot under one of my sheds, in an area of the yard that was already done. . . Then went back to work. Fast forward two days and my lawn is perfectly graded, seeded, and had hay mats lain across it. Was sitting on my deck drinking a beer when I noticed one of my mats being thrashed about. Figured it was a ground hog, so I reached back for my .22 and took a shot. Mat was still thrashing so I took a second shot, and then the thrashing stopped. . . Walked over to fetch my kill (love making stuff outta pelts), only to see a snake all wrapped up and tangled in the mat. His mouth was stuck open , with the netting of the straw mat wrapped all around him, abrading the scales on his side, and choking off his torso along his girthiest section. Spent the next fifteen minutes carefully using a razor to cut all the super thin strands of netting away to free him as he continued to thrash about and musk all over my hands and forearms. "I'll be damned", I said when I got him free. It was the same gimpy tailed guy I saved from my skid steer! Figured it was fate that we were to be together, so I spent almost a grand to build him a garter snake mansion complete with living plants and a stocked pond. He's shed three times now, and the scales on his side seem to be healing up nicely.

[@BriDia3]

He didn't immediately flee after you got him free?!

[@iratevagabond204]

@@BriDia3 In my experience, garter snakes are smart and easy to tame. The ones in my yard, that my kids and I have picked up and handled before seem to remember us, and no longer musk or get all squirrely, trying to get away. Handle the wild ones in our yard quite often, because the kids and I like to run around and scope out the yard before we do yard work, so we don't suck any up in the mower.

[@BriDia3]

@@iratevagabond204 it's too bad we can't post pictures here. I'd love to the mansion 🥰

[@PixieoftheWood]

I'd say they're very easy to take care of. Recently I discovered I had a garter snake in my basement, and apparently it had been living just fine without me even knowing it was down there. I did get musked when I tried to move the snake, though.

[@TH3MIN3R3000]

I also caught a wild Garter snake when I was younger. My mother freaked out and then I laughed.

[@sydhenderson6753]

This is a delightful video, and, though Clint has done a lot more snake videos since this, I think that he actually underrates garter snakes. I'd give them five out of five for both upfront cost and availability. They're beautiful, too, with those stripes running the length of their bodies. They're my #1 pet snakes. And if yours escapes, cheer it on.

[@-leezha-]

Question: The Cali red sided has a rubbing problem it seems? The wound on it’s lower jaw... What happened? Just curious, lol

[@ClintsReptiles]

She got that in transit. It isn't clear how it happened (they were all transported in individual bags within a hard-sided container). Sounds like she has recovered completely since then. Thank you for your concern.

[@-leezha-]

Clint's Reptiles Aw poor babe. Glad she’s doing well!

[@OoSerendipitaloO]

I think it'd be good to address that kind of thing in the video, possibly? That way beginner reptile keepers would think the snake is totally healthy.

[@249aaa]

some snakes have an issue of rubbing while in bags during shipping, garters may be prone to it but i know from viperkeeper’s channel that banded crates are one that do it fairly consistently during transit

[@charlottesmom]

I noticed that too, it looks pink and raw. 😦 Glad she is fine now. 👍🏻🐍

[@lorettapierce6336]

I have 2 baby garter snakes they are great very active. I feed them earthworms slugs tadpoles and minnows.

[@maxwirt921]

I had to come here again because I was at my local nature center today and I encountered what I can only assume was a hatchling (he was only 4-5” long) and he was FEISTY! He was hissing and striking at me like I’ve never seen in my life! He was adorable.

[@questionable8158]

I love catching carter snakes in my yard they are so cute.

[@ihatesnakeuwhycuzsnakeuyougot]

Isaac Smail aw your so lucky they are native where you live.

[@nicolep2424]

I found one today and played with him and pet him and he chilled with me for a while. He was super cool

[@li2us]

One of my favorite pets was a very large red-sided garter snake. She preferred a sunny location near the kitchen. Never a mouse problem.

[@mackenziekarsonovich1073]

I’m picking up my garter snake today! I’m so excited I got his tank all set up and ready for him. I’ve wanted one for a while now, but it took some time to find a breeder I liked.

[@peggedyourdad9560]

How’d it go? How’s your new buddy doing?

[@mackenziekarsonovich1073]

@@peggedyourdad9560 it’s been great so far! He had his first shed with me a couple of weeks ago and he has been eating like a champ ever since I brought him home. I also haven’t been musked on yet, tho he did try to eat my finger once. His little fangs were so small he couldn’t break the skin. Every time I peek in his enclosure he comes right up to the front to beg for more food. They are such fun little snakes and so underrated!

[@peggedyourdad9560]

@@mackenziekarsonovich1073 that’s awesome! I’m glad things have been going well for you😁

[@mackenziekarsonovich1073]

@@peggedyourdad9560 Me too! He’s only my third snake, but I always try to do a ton of research about the animals I want before I get them. Clint’s channel is great for narrowing down the right herp.

[@ElMagoSilva23]

This was my first snake and it has been my favorite snake ever. It was very good to me. I had corn snakes after, but they got aggressive at one point, so I sold them. I now have a baby crested gecko and loving it 🙂. I recommend a garter snake if you're new to the reptile world. Enjoy 🙂

[@ClintsReptiles]

They are so fantastic! Thank you for sharing your experience :)

[@scottkelley3590]

Garter snakes are one of my favorite reptiles and this is my favorite channel.

[@johngriffey3902]

I have been feeding mine thin slices of catfish and she loves it!!

[@talonsarusrex5259]

The wild ones in my back yard are the cutest i have babys every where and there only like five inches long

[@acesfan29]

Hey Clint, it's Ben. I've been thinking about getting a snake for a long time. I've kept leopard geckos and anoles, but after watching this, I'd be open to a snake. Like all your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@cinnasticks288]

I didn't know they came in so many pretty morphs! I might have to find one!

[@pallaceinpdx]

Dear Clint, I was outside turning over rocks last night in my neighborhood because I'm self isolating and have apparently reverted to a child in the best way. I came across a nest of garter babies and I brought one home. I quickly built him a habitat and he seems to be super tolerant of me. I was going to return him to the wild if he doesn't eat but I'm wondering if that's wrong of me. It's okay if you don't want to give me moral advice on wild garters, I was just curious about your opinion.

[@Katalystic]

Hey, I’m curious since it’s been a year, what did you end up doing?

[@katiewebster9190]

Honestly I think these are one of the most underrated snakes ever. And most people don’t know they can be venomous as well as poisonous which I find to be very interesting.

[@terrym45]

As soon as I started the video, the smell came back. A lot of years, a lot of memories with these guys amazing how some smells you never forget

[@charles6952]

When I was a kid we had 2. Curious George was brown with lighter beige stripes. Got his name because he was a master escape artist and would end up in the craziest of places. Other was Speedy. He was black with light grey stripes. Both wild caught, both about 12 inches when caught. Grew to about 20 after some years. Passaic County NJ.

[@CAoffRoading]

New Jersey has some absolutely gorgeous species of garters. Caught a few as a kid that were different shades of neon red and orange and extremely docile. Never musked by the ones I caught in NJ. A couple of the ones I've caught in CT musked me however lol

[@carschmn]

Everyone likes the fancy morphs but I think the black and yellow one from Minnesota is gorgeous

[@emplaysbloxburg9083]

They look really cool but not many breed them because of "prettier" morphs lol

[@hjalfi]

I keep finding that my reaction when I see a video of someone comparing a wild variant with a bred morph is that the wild one looks so much better. Maybe they're different in real life.

[@neondennon]

The story of you catching a garter snake and putting inside a jar is so funny! When I was a kid everyone knew I LOVED snakes and reptiles, I knew so much about them, I’d catch garter snakes all the time. One time, my mom got a call from her neighbor friend saying that there was a big snake in her garden, and she was deathly afraid of snakes and wanted it out. So I go over there, run around in the sunflowers for a bit and manage to snag a pretty good sized garter snake. Pretty sure she was a lady snake, maybe under 2ft long, but I was smaller back then too. My dad had an empty fish tank sitting outside and I put it in there with some sticks and stuff to keep it busy while we got the other stuff for it. Went inside to have dinner, went back out to check on it before going out and she was gone already 😂 fish tank lid was not enough to keep that big guy contained

[@FlowerKnight2]

Hey Dons Garter Snakes! He's from my home town, I went to high school with his daughter. Great guy, great snakes.

[@ironrose6]

Clint, you and Snake Discovery are so stinkin' rad. Thanks to you guys, I got my beloved little ball python, Emmy, about a year ago and now I'm setting up and enclosure for some garters. Thanks for the happiness, my friend :).

[@myronplichota7965]

As a child growing up in Ontario Canada, I learned to avoid getting musked or bitten by the wild garter snakes that I nabbed. Due to my gentle treatment, those wild garter snakes "got it" that I was a friend in minutes, and came to trust me. Since I had no idea how to take good care of such marvelous creatures, I released them where I nabbed them. I am amazed by the spectrum of insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals that have responded to my love with trust. Garter snakes are but one example. Please take your best care of any and all pets you claim to love.

[@Zaku186]

idk how many times ive watched this vid. i love em.

[@Koyomix86]

Garter snakes are everywhere where I live if you look in the right places you can see them all the time one time a garter snake got in my house and just lived here for like a day, they’re amazing snakes and I would definitely recommend them.

[@hannahcarson5688]

These will have to be my absolute favourite reptile ever! They are so under rated animals, I love them so much 💕 I wish they were easer to find at least were I live. I really hope to own and even breed garter snakes in the future!

[@isitoveryet9525]

They really are underrated, underappreciated snakes.

[@hannahcarson5688]

I wish other people knew how awesome they are.

[@johndueck526]

I used to catch wild ones. Feed them well for a week or so then release them near a stream. Love them.

[@thechance6115]

I love this guy very positive personality.

[@ashleighsamuels4808]

Another great video from an amazingly informative channel well done! P.S I would love to see a Tegu video! Please!

[@frederickd.provoncha8671]

Yep... I've raised countless garter snakes when I was younger. Been bitten by them more than I can count, and have been "musked on" countless times as well. They'll eat almost anything. The smaller ones I'd feed worms and the bigger ones I'd feed toads. And yes I found them to always be eager feeders as well. I find it interesting how they vary in appearance from one region to another. Sometimes the stripes are clear and distinct, sometimes less distinct. Sometimes the central stripe is yellow, sometimes white or other faint colors.

[@iamsaztak]

thank you SO much for making this video. Ever since I saw it, I knew I wanted a garter. I'm hoping I'll be able to catch my own (at least one, if I get more I'll probably go with captive bred, probably from Don! I like the idea of catching a pet to keep, especially since their habitat range is part of why they're so underappreciated). It's been several months now since I first decided to get a garter. First I wanted to wait until spring, then I feared it wasn't a good idea to get a snake. Then I decided to keep fish (guppies in particular), which meant that a fish-eating snake would be a great fit (since guppies breed easily). I can't wait for one. I caught a baby garter once when I was young, and it was extremely charming. Upon watching this video, and doing my own research, I'm floored that they're not more popular! They seem like the perfect snake! You can keep more than one in a tank, you don't have to feed it rodents, AND they're active! Those are like, the only 3 things that are bad about snakes (minus the fact that some people hate snakes lol). Solitary, need rodents, and they don't do anything! AND they seem good to handle. Some snakes get super stressed by it, and while I don't need to handle my snake that much, I still want to interact with it at least a little bit. Hopefully I get lucky and I can find garters that won't musk on me, as that seems to be the biggest (and only) major drawback of this species. THANK YOU!!!

[@JosuesExotics]

You are the reason why I got my first garter snake!!! Now I have two living together!

[@FlanchanOf2002]

I actually found this video after trying to do some research because my grandma said that it may be a pet that she'd approve of. Even after all the stories of my dad catching snakes(and other reptiles and amphibians) when he was a kid.

[@phlizneinbleedblop2318]

Nice tie Clint

[@kozmikhero6749]

Ah yes I would love a scaly noodle that attempts to escape from me till the day it dies

[@jpm5772]

I caught a garter snake today and got musked and honestly getting the smell out was surprisingly easy and there was no trace of the smell after I thoroughly washed my hands

[@mawehe63]

lesson learned from watching your videos. all of the animals are the best. get all of the animals. lol, I love your content!

[@musicallemon4885]

I was bit by a wild garter snake, he was latched on for a minute or so before decided to be done with me. It did not hurt, but stung a bit and itched. No swelling or bleeding issue. Wasn’t a big deal at all. I’ve seen a garter snake with a tiny frog in its mouth. It slithered backwards staring at me till it disappeared into the tall grass. That was a pretty cool event! 😊 Oh and I’ve never been musked by one.

[@benbravis1908]

My garter, Houdini, escaped 15 times in 10 days before I could find an affordable tank with a good lid (I had a hexagon tank I couldn’t buy a lid for) luckily I live in an apartment with good doors and he only made it out of the room in 2 cases. Now that he has a dedicated reptile tank, he digs and buries himself instead of escaping

[@CosmicGodzilla2021]

I find Garter snakes in my yard all the time. I love all of them, they are friendly and even let me pick them up! I feed them occasionally and when I don’t have school I usually spend my time outside with them. I don’t do it all year because they’re never around in the winter, but still I always look forward to them! I live in Jersey btw.

[@jadenr1514]

Can you do A video on green iguanas? Or an iguana from the iguana iguana variety?

[@Osprey1994]

Simple: Green Iguana's suck.

[@FilmDragons]

OspreyBravo18 well, no, they just are horrible in most categories, but not bad pets

[@datboimemer637]

@@Osprey1994 Well yes but.. No

[@Giganotus]

I can attest to a garter's hardiness. I had a small one that escaped. Didn't find it until 6 months later, middle of winter, on the kitchen floor. Alive. The cats located the bugger. Successfully kept it for another six months before it sadly died (parasites or an impaction, I believe). A wild moment for sure!

[@myuziksohl]

I want one. I LOVE that they are darty but not too bity. I think I'll have one or two and vivarium animals with lots of plants and fish and just watch them go nuts in their tank

[@sarainiaangelsong440]

I like the Red and Black patterned Garter definitely is neat.

[@johndoe-uz2kc]

I'm a landscaper who worked at the mayor of Minneapolis house. And garter snakes had established a winter area somewhere around or under his house because we would see sometimes 20 to 30 around the property, it was pretty cool.

[@clarkogles3289]

I have two garter snakes and one managed to get out of a tiny crack because I didn't close the lid all the way, it took him about 20 minutes to find it, luckily I caught him before he got too far! They are escape artists

[@samfish2550]

I'm just happy to see a cool reptile that does well in my local enviorment for temperature and humidity

[@meg2831]

I like that they can live together with other garters. The fact that they do well in group is awesome.

[@latrodectusmactans7592]

I see garter snakes all the time while running or biking. Beautiful animals. I didn't realize they were so rarely bred because they seem like very good pets and as you mentioned they don't eat rodents which is often a dealbreaker for snake owners.

[@EdjiAstro]

Thanks dude great video as always with so much detail! You're the reason i got a garter snake

[@fnerXVI]

There was a little garter snake hiding under some sod I had to replace in my yard. Little guy was cold so I held him in the sun until he woke up, played with him a little, then let him go. Super cool animals and I think I'm going to get a couple.

[@thamnophisrex5895]

I caught a small plains garter snake in a parking garage under my mom's condo yesterday. I kept him in a critter cage overnight and let him go.

[@emmanix6317]

I'm getting a garter snake after Xmas just doing my research first can't wait

[@werewolf1301]

I managed to catch one today and allowed it to slither along my arm. Once it realized I wasn't going to hurt it, it coiled its tail around my pinky to keep balanced. I was a little afraid I put too much pressure on its back end when I first grabbed it, but it seemed very calm and stable once it was up on my arms. I let it go after a couple minutes and thanked it for letting me spend some time with it.

[@jkryanspark]

As a boy, I spent summers in the Catskills, and because my friends and I were all city boys, we caught a green snake and called it a garter snake. It was terrific, though. My favorite, however, was a ring neck snake we found, one with a deep orange ring around its neck. It had the best disposition of any snake I've ever handled. Not so, the ubiquitous ribbon snakes that lived in the high grass around lakes and always tried to take off our fingers. We also flipped a rock once and discovered about 30 garter babies.

[@azzurriblue65]

I got musked by a red-sided garter snake on my hike today, very stinky. But worth it, such a cool specimen. I had seen him a few times in this spot and this time I managed to get a hold of him. Got a good look at him for a few minutes then let him go on with his day, and if my visual memory of him ever fades, my nasal memory won't.

[@benjaminbrand3714]

I remember as a kid growing up in Nebraska I would see these little guys all the time. We used to hold the wild ones and then let them go. That was definitely something that made me into a sneak lover

[@matthewryan1998]

Garter snakes are really hardy they live up here in the cold mountains of Colorado when the summer comes they come out and I’ve always caught them and kept them as weekend pets but never got the chance to have a full on pet garter snake the ones up here get massive for garter snakes imo the biggest I’ve caught was 3ft long out by a steam run off and this video has helped me decide I should

[@theshapeexists]

Got about 1000 of these things under the deck of my house. The babies get through the hole in my screen door every now and then and my cats are fascinated by the moving little shoelaces on our floors

[@Hopexi]

Great video 👍 I have 5 garter snakes. Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis and Thamnophis sirtalis concinnus. They are wonderful snakes. Live in groups and very active and curious. It is very fun to watch them eat and interact with each other. Love these beautiful snakes.

[@Pokeluf]

Great video! Keep it up, this is quickly becoming my favorite reptile channel on youtube.

[@kennylefou7688]

They are easy to find them here in Belgium (Europe) in reptile shops..

[@TheWildShotsPodcast]

That death stare when he did the strike though! XD

[@alannohlgren]

I was just gonna add, you've got to warn those new to garter snakes about their tendency to musk. I grew up catching garter snakes in the Willamette Valley area of Western Oregon. Not a venemous snake in the area, so grear for a kid who's fascinated by reptiles. But to this day I can smell in my nose's memory that foul oder of garter snake's musk. I remember literally gagging on a few occasions. I see that someone's mentioned a recipe for a solution for getting rid of that oder. Wish I'd known about that as a kid!

[@cheesefarmer3545]

I see these things ALL OVER THE PLACE in Upstate New York, any given time you can find one within 10 minutes if you know where to look. Very friendly, you can hold them, they just wrap your hands and sit there. We have mostly black and yellow Eastern ones.

[@brandilee520]

Love garter snakes, they are very common were I grew up. There were many summer days spent catching as many as we could and then releasing them at the end of the day. They come in a surprising variety of colors but the blue ones are my favorites. 🐍

[@kingzant99]

I have watched this video so many times because Garter snakes are so good

[@nicolemasline1745]

Personaly i like basking spots

[@European_mess]

i love your videos! i love how giddy you get when explaining reptiles keep up the great work! :)

[@oncefoughtabear]

I would love to see a show of you in the field, BBC style. The attitude is infectious.

[@AWTbinx]

I watched this 2 years ago when it came out I was hoping and hoping for years to get a snake, now I have 2 happy, beautiful, garters there only baby's but they are really easy to care for and they are really entertaining to watch slither around there rocks and hides.