I found I have three different garter snakes living in our greenhouse/garden areas. These are the first snakes in the yard that I’ve seen in about 8 years.
There’s the ‘grampa’ about 3 feet long, one about a foot and a half long and the little brother under a foot.
I found the snakes the other day when I tried (inadvertently) to ‘weed’ Grampa’s tail, he took off like a shot, and I screamed. (Why do snakes look 6 feet longer than they really are when they’re booking it for the hills?)
What I didn’t know was that Gramps and the kid were having a meeting in the bachelor buttons. I went back to weeding and discovered the little brother. By this time, husband and son had come ‘to my rescue’. Son caught the little brother and held him in a pail until I finished weeding the bachelor buttons. Little brother was returned to the bachelor button patch.
Gramps came back from under the lilacs through the bachelor buttons on his way to the hedge.
I decided to pick some squash for supper, and headed over to the squash block. Halfway across the garden I see Uncle snake ahead of me heading for the squash too. I screamed like a girl, AGAIN. DH and Son just laughed! Changed my mind about having squash for supper!
It’s been a rainy summer, so there’s lots of frogs and bugs for the snakes to eat.
Once my heart rate returned to normal, I decided I like having the snakes in the garden. I just don’t like being startled by them. (I don’t suppose they like it either, lol.) Note to self, pay more attention to where I'm walking!
Anyone else had an encounter with a snake?
SSSSSSssssssue
Sssssss said the snake, (blood curdling scream) said I.
LOLOL What a surprise for you! I suspect the fact that they are in your gardens probably means that you have a very healthy environment there, and it wouldn't bother me to have them either as long as I knew they were there, but my DH would have a hisssssssy fit :-) heeheehee But, then again, that would make us even - I can live with all the bugs, as long as one doesn't actually get ON me. Talk about screaming like a girl!
--Ginny
Snakes like garter snakes, ribbon snakes, and many others are very beneficial, and yes, shows you have a good, healthy environment. They do startle when you come upon them, but you do have to keep your eyes open. Today, I was several feet from a ribbon snake, and it headed away from me, so they are very shy. Last summer I did come upon one in my bedroom, and I freaked out! LOL!
So much for being calm and cool. My brain screamed "SNAKE!" and I ran back to the kitchen to collect myself. Then logic set in. A very small ribbon snake, and I must catch it and take it back outside. That little sucker was very difficult to catch, but I finally managed. I had to laugh at myself later, and told all my friends what a nit I was! LOL! A tiny harmless snake, and I had a flaming panic over it. I am fine with them outside, but not in my bedroom!
I am learning to deal with spiders, and most here are beneficial, and not harmful to me, but the population inside has to be very minimal. I do not like sharing my personal space, apparently.
We live and learn, hopefully. BAM
Hi Bam - if you get to Ottawa, let me know.
I can only wish for snakes and am a bit surprised that in a nicely treed neighbourhood with lots of gardens, I've never seen one in over 30 years.
Ann
Hello everyone, I was thrilled to find garter snakes sunning themselves in my downtown Toronto garden. We can only hope that our environment is a little healthier than we fear. Robb.
Lucky you Robb. That is a good sign. I have never seen a garter snake on my property. Every other kind of wildlife native to the area shows up now and then. We even hear a big cat in the bush down the river every so often, but never a snake. Maybe I'm just not seeing them. In Narcisse, they are a tourist attraction. http://www.oakhammockmarsh.ca/english/special/nrcsnks.html
If anyone would like a few dozen I'd be happy to send them to you as I've been over run with them this year. Seems everywhere I step there is another "colony" of them. My compost pile is full! I had leaned the wheel barrow up over it to keep it rain free and when I went to use it they scattered everywhere, talk about freakie.
I'm not a snake lover but I guess I'll have to get use to them, seems I have a dozen or so more every year. Just wish they'd catch a few of the mice and moles around here.