I desperately need help with a question!!!

[alicia]

I know absolutely nothing about garter snakes but I have a question and I couldn't find any answers online. I found this site and you guys obviously know a lot so here is my question... I live on a farm in Nebraska. I was outside playing with my daughter yesterday and came across a huge pile of garter snakes all in a huge group. There are about three holes that go underground that I could see. From what information I could find online i'm guessing they are coming out of hibernation or whatever. What should I do with them?? I'm not scared of them because I know they are harmless but I don't want that many of them in my yard if I can help it. Someone please help me out. I don't want to hurt or kill them.. I really appreciate any help!! Thanks sooo much!!!

[Stefan-A]

Just leave them alone and they'll disperse soon enough.

[kibakiba]

They'll go away. Right now it's just breeding mode time, once that calms down, they'll all likely go their separate ways.

[chris-uk]

As Stefan suggested, leave them and they will disperse on their own.

If there was a pile of them it sounds like the boys had been hanging around outside the den and a female came out, sounds like a mating ball to me. I've never seen garters emerging from a den, so I'm incredibly jealous.

You may find that they're around for a little while yet, until the weather warms enough for them to leave the den permanently they will come out on the warm days and return to the den at night.

I'd love to see some photos if you can post some.

[guidofatherof5]

Welcome. Thanks for not wanting to hurt them.
You've gotten good advice.
Sit back and enjoy this awesome spectacle.
Any chance you can take some photos? I'd love to see what species you have there. Where in NE. do you live
If it's close to the east end I'd love to come and shoot some video and take some photos. I live in Council Bluffs, IA.

[ssssnakeluvr]

also, in some states it's illegal to disturb snake dens. They are harmless and will move on after breeding.

[EasternGirl]

Yes...thank you so much for not wanting to hurt them. You have a lot of jealous people on here! I would love to see that! If you have a chance to take some photos and post them for us please do. Like the other members said, leave them be and they will not bother you...garters are usually skiddish of people...they will not likely come near you or your daughter...if approached, they will hide. As soon as mating season is over, they will be on their way.

[ConcinusMan]

Everybody pretty much already said it. They're just emerging from their winter den. The gathering won't last long. They'll leave the den area very soon. All you need to do is nothing. They'll soon disperse and won't return in large numbers until fall.

[Light of Dae]

All you need to do is nothing.

WRONG!!! There is one dire important thing that NEEDS doing!!!!!!


Take pictures! n Post Pictures!

lol

[infernalis]

Just leave them alone and they'll disperse soon enough.

Exactly, they will begin their summer travels in just a few days.

pretty soon you won't hardly see any.

Please don't disturb the site, they will return in the autumn and go back down for the winter, and den sites are getting destroyed too much as it is. You would be doing a huge injustice to the environment if you try and keep them from coming back in the fall, as they may not have anywhere else to go.