Got a new friend today.

[Yoshi]

I found a baby garter snake in my yard late this afternoon and decided to keep it. Just a heads up, I know I'm probably doing some things wrong already. I put "her" (I think it's female from the look of the tail) in an old 20 gallon tank we had in the shed and put garden soil in it because a couple sites told me so, I know that's wrong and I will replace it with paper towels, there is also something that looks like quackgrass and a fake little rock to hide. Now I think it is just a regular Eastern Garter, but I could be wrong. It is approx. 5-6 inches. Will it be okay by itself? Approx. how long will it take for it to get used to me, the tank, and start eating? Other than that I was just wondering if anyone had any tips for me. Yes, I already went over the Care Sheet and have it saved to my computer just in case.

It looks basically like this
easterngarter.jpg

[Stefan-A]

It will be okay by itself.

How long it will take for it to get used to you, the tank and start eating, is impossible to say. Could be immediately, could be never. Not very useful, I know. The best you can do is to keep things calm around the enclosure and handle as little as possible until it starts eating regularly.

As for the picture, it's impossible to know for sure. There are a lot of species that look "basically" like that. A picture of the actual snake would be better, accompanied by the location where it was found.

[infernalis]

There is nothing wrong with using soil as your tank substrate..., you can plant real grass, and it's natural.

[snake man]

Good luck hopefully everything goes well.

[Yoshi]

I found her in Lascassas, Tennessee. Sorry for the bad quality, can't find my camera.
snake.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Looks like you've got 3 garters in your State.

Thamnophis proximus proximus –(Western Ribbonsnake)
Thamnophis sauritus sauritus -(Eastern Ribbonsnake)
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis -(Common Gartersnake)

[kueluck]

Here is no such thing as "JUST" a regular eastern garter. They are wonderful friends to have around, so I hope it turns out to be Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis -(Common Gartersnake).

[EasternGirl]

It looks like it is probably an eastern garter...Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis, from what I can tell from the pic. They are wonderful garters...my favorite. If it is only 5-6 inches long, then it is very young. It will be fine by itself. I like to use aspen or carefresh for substrate. A nice shallow water dish on one side of the tank...that he or she can get in and out of easily, but that is big enough to drink from and soak in, is essential. Make sure it is not something heavy that the snake can get pinned under. A couple of hides...you can just use some small cardboard boxes...are good to have. A fake plant or two is always nice too. Some garters enjoy basking under the heat and light of a lamp, although it is not necessary this time of year. Something to think about for the fall though. Also, make sure the lid of the tank is very secure...garters are very skilled at escaping. If you have any other questions....please let us know.

[Yoshi]

I just put a new water dish in there and I also got a small pinkie for it, I'll see if she'll eat it later or maybe tomorrow. Right now I've just had a large piece of wood to cover it with a little slit along the side for air, hasn't tried to get out, just hiding in the grass I put in. Do they eat mealworms too? My mom keeps saying it might be an eastern ribbon (Thamnophis sauritus sauritus) because when they grabbed for it, it just "ran" away and doesn't try to attack, while my dad said that common garter (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) will strike at you if threatened.

[guidofatherof5]

No bugs.
Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet