Wednesday, April 16th
April's meeting will focus on how to safely handle and present your reptile to the public. Please feel free to bring your own animal to show off.
Meetings start promptly at 8pm in the Alumni Room of Medaille College.
Annual Banquet
PLEASE NOTE: The annual banquet and recognition dinner will be rescheduled due to conflicts. The new date will likely be a Saturday in May, please contact a board member for more information.
Common Garter Snake
Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
Photo Courtesy of Jayne Thomas
Click for larger image
The Common Garter Snake can reach lengths of 18 inches to over 4 feet and is the most common snake in North America. Their coloration is highly variable. In the east they usually have yellow back and side stripes though colors of brownish, greenish, or bluish will sometimes occur as well. Some specimens will also lack stripes or appear all black in color.
These live-bearers mate from late March to early May. In late June to August females have 7 - 85 young born. Young garter snakes are 5 - 9 inches when born.
The Common Garter Snake is by far one of the most common snakes encountered in the wild. They can often be found during the day hunting for food in damp vegetation. Garter snakes eat frogs, toads, salamanders and earthworms. Occasionally they can also be found eating fish and small mice. When first captured in the wild they are aggressive and will often bite or emit a foul musk. As with any wildlife it is always best to place the animal back where you found it after you have taken your opportunity to observe and photograph it.
If you are looking for care information on the many other different types of garter, ribbon, and water snakes available in the pet trade, please check out our Garter, Ribbon, Water Snakes Care Sheet.
Remember that in many places it is illegal to take wildlife out of the wild without the proper permits from local, state, or federal authorities. Please do not release any captive reptiles or amphibians into the wild as this will disrupt the natural order of our environment. See our amphibian and reptile adoptions page for more information on what to do with unwanted herps.
Help further herpetology research and education by donating to the Marvin R. Aures Herpetological Grant