How do I know if an injured garter snake is okay to release back to the wild?

[hillacinth]

On Thursday night (Oct. 4) I came home from work to find a garter snake all tangled up in the mesh that my landscapers had put down to cover new grass seed.  My cats had also discovered the trapped snake in the meantime.<br><br>I freed it; injuries included lacerations and disturbed scales on the top of the snake and a number of places where the mesh had cut deeply into the snake's underside.  Near the end of the tail, there was a cut that went about 2/3rd's of the way through.  I brought it inside to protect from further predation and to let it recover.<br><br>The snake was very lethargic at first, but has perked up over time, escaping from its initial shoebox yesterday and then investigating its current aquarium habitat with lots of tongue-flicking.  I didn't see evidence of any of the underside cuts anymore when I moved it yesterday, though I didn't investigate closely.  I just saw a small bug on the snake; not sure what to do about that either.<br><br>I have not applied anything to the wounds, nor have I fed it.  How do I know when it's ready for release?  I'm worried about the lateness of the year and the temperature outside; we are in Michigan, with temperatures in the 50's right now, so I'm thinking it must be about time for it to hibernate.  I don't really want to take care of a snake all winter, though I will if I have to!  There is a nearby wetland I can take it to, as long as I can be certain I'm not releasing it to a sure death.<br><br>I'm attaching pictures of the injuries to the topside of the snake for your assessment.  I can get pictures of the underside if that would be helpful too.<br><br>Thanks for any advice you can offer!<br>Lisa H.<br><img id="vbattach_7018" class="previewthumb" alt="" src="http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7018&stc=1" attachmentid="7018"><img id="vbattach_7019" class="previewthumb" alt="" src="http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7019&stc=1" attachmentid="7019"><img id="vbattach_7020" class="previewthumb" alt="" src="http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7020&stc=1" attachmentid="7020">

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks for taking the time to care for this snake. Good looking female.
I would make up a weak tea looking solution of betadine and warm water.
Keep the snake from drinking it by holding its head area out of the solution but soaking the body.
That second photo appears to show some swelling which isn't a good sign. A Vet. visit would be great if possible.
I would be concerned with releasing the snake since it would be going into brumation with this injury.
Any chance you can care for it until Spring?

[hillacinth]

Steve, thank you for your reply! Sorry about the weird code in my post making it so hard to read; I'm not sure how that happened.

I've had some good news, in that we apparently have an organization called "the Great Lakes Zoological Society" here in this area which specializes in reptile conservation, education, rehabilitation, etc. Who knew! I wasn't able to speak to their expert today, but he is willing to take a look at the snake on Monday or Tuesday and see what kind of attention she needs. Whew. All I know about snake care is what I've read right here!

I will try the betadine idea in the meantime; I think you are right that there is swelling in that one area of her length.

My next question is: do I need to try feeding her, or will she be okay for the next couple of days without anything but water?

Thank you very much for your advice! I feel responsible for her injury, and she's awfully cool to boot.

Lisa H.

[guidofatherof5]

Be sure to introduce yourself in the "Welcome Lounge" so we can give you a proper welcome.
Welcome Lounge (http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/welcome-lounge/)

Please keep us posted on the snake also.

[katach]

Sounds like you are doing great with her. I wouldn't worry too much about food right now. Just make sure that there is free access to clean fresh water. Let us know what the rehab center guy says and if you will be caring for her over the winter. I promise you will fall in love her soon, if you haven't already. :)

[EasternGirl]

Hello and welcome. As others have said, thank you for taking the time to care for this snake. It sounds like you are doing well with her and that you have a good resource for getting more help. If you don't want to keep her and the rehab can take her...that would be best...I wouldn't put her back outside with it getting so cold. If you do decide to keep her...we will help however we can. Yes, please let us know what the rehab guy says and keep us posted on her.

[i_heart_sneakie_snakes]

She looks big and healthy except for her injuries. So hopefully she will heal quickly. She is lucky you are the one who found her!! :)

[ConcinusMan]

Given the time of year its critical to release as soon as possible. I'd say if the wounds are no longer open and/or oozing, and the snake gets around OK, time to release. Wounds don't have to be healed completely, just "scabbed over" in a way that dirt doesn't stick.

Snake looks good. I would release now, in the vicinity where it was found, so she can find her winter den. Do it when its warm enough for her to move around OK. She doesn't need to eat and probably won't anyway. She should be done eating until spring. Keep in mind, even a perfectly healthy adult ony has a 50% chance of making it through the winter. I'm sure what you've done helps.

[hillacinth]

Hi, all--thanks so much for your interest and encouragement!

I took the snake to the Great Lakes Zoological Society Discovery Center yesterday where John the curator had a look at her. I think it may have been a borderline case, since he took his time looking at the injuries and "hmmming." He eventually decided that there was probably a bit of infection going on and it would be best to get her some antibiotics from the veterinarian and keep her in captivity over the winter. He generously offered to do this for her, for which I proffered a generous donation to the organization. :) So this is one snake in the fortunate 50% this year! John said I could stop back by and check on her progress whenever I wanted, which I also thought was nice.

The snake was a lovely temporary addition to my home; she was no trouble and was fascinating to watch (the 10% of the time she was actually doing anything other than hiding). I wish snakes didn't have dietary requirements like chopped-up earthworms and thawed baby mice; otherwise I would have looked after her myself till spring.

This is a great forum, by the way, I have learned a lot here. Thanks!
Lisa H.

[guidofatherof5]

Glad she is being cared for. Thank you for your effort in this situation.

[RedSidedSPR]

Yeah, kudo's for caring.

[ConcinusMan]

Hi, all--thanks so much for your interest and encouragement!

I took the snake to the Great Lakes Zoological Society Discovery Center yesterday where John the curator had a look at her. I think it may have been a borderline case, since he took his time looking at the injuries and "hmmming." He eventually decided that there was probably a bit of infection going on and it would be best to get her some antibiotics from the veterinarian and keep her in captivity over the winter. He generously offered to do this for her, for which I proffered a generous donation to the organization. :) So this is one snake in the fortunate 50% this year! John said I could stop back by and check on her progress whenever I wanted, which I also thought was nice.

The snake was a lovely temporary addition to my home; she was no trouble and was fascinating to watch (the 10% of the time she was actually doing anything other than hiding). I wish snakes didn't have dietary requirements like chopped-up earthworms and thawed baby mice; otherwise I would have looked after her myself till spring.

This is a great forum, by the way, I have learned a lot here. Thanks!
Lisa H.


Well that couldn't have gone any better. I don't see any signs of infection. Just pretty much healed up wounds. The plan to treat and skip brumation sure couldn't hurt though.

[kueluck]

Lisa, thanks for tending to the girl who needed you at that moment. And now that you found this site, and have seen a small glimpse of the amazing garters I suspect you may be a future keeper of the garter yourself. Don't let the idea of chopping up pinkies or worms turn you away since you only need to cut them up for the little ones, and after a few times it gets easy to do since you are doing it for the health of your snake. Garter are amazing friends to have.