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Wed, Apr 7, 10 at 9:28
I didn't notice this guy when I unplugged the pump, but saw him when I went to plug it back in.
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Follow-Up Postings:
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| great luck for you- you'll have fewer rats and mice around the area. min |
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| They always get relocated to a safe suitable habitat far away from my pond. |
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- Posted by timbersmith 6A (My Page) on Wed, Apr 7, 10 at 12:21
| I've found that Garter snakes usually keep to themselves pretty well - they'll usually run - well, slither - away when a person gets close so it's not a bad animal to have around (unlike a Copperhead), if you can live with it. Small frogs will become a tasty treat, but don't know if they're good at catching fish or not. A place where I used to live had a huge 3'+ Garter snake living in the wood pile. It always ran when someone got within 10' or 15' of it. - Mike |
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- Posted by buyorsell888 Zone 8 Portland OR (My Page) on Wed, Apr 7, 10 at 13:24
| Garter snakes eat slugs. I'd welcome them to my garden! |
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- Posted by cweathersby NE TX 7b/8a (My Page) on Wed, Apr 7, 10 at 17:22
| Wish I could post a pic from my cell! I killed one yesterday and suspected it was full of fish- cut it open to find 3 whole koi! One of the koi was full of eggs! |
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| He swam away when I tried to catch him. He found a hole in the waterfall and disappeared. I've got plenty of slugs eating my hostas. He'd be welcome there. I don't have any valuable fish, but a couple good sized shubunkins that I's hare to lose. |
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- Posted by sleeplessinftwayne z4-5 IND (My Page) on Thu, Apr 8, 10 at 5:00
| It seems like a pretty small snake if the size of the electric cord is normal. He could take a minnow but not anything larger than a couple of inches and that might be a problem for him. The only thing I could suggest if you are so nervous about it is the garbage can/broom trick. You can make a trap out of a cloth bag on top of a heating pad on low heat. Prop open the opening and the snake will crawl in for the heat flip the top of the bag over and tie it off. Then you can carry the bag anywhere you want. It is a shame to get rid of him. He is a hunter of roaches and other insects, maybe some small mice until he gets a bit more growth. |
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- Posted by catherinet z5 (My Page) on Thu, Apr 8, 10 at 10:40
| I'm no snake I.D. expert, so just be sure it isn't poisonous. I have several northern water snakes in my 2 little stocktank ponds, and it upsets me that they probably eat some of my toads and frogs (no fish), but I've come to feel that he belongs here as much as the others, so we've learned to co-exist. |
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| Garter snakes will bite if they think they are cornered. The standard treatment is a tetanus shot if you are not upto date and there is no real danger. A garter snakes eyes have round pupils as seen in your photograph. Copperheads have cats eyes and are more aggressive. I would not worry about a garter snake, but would not want a copperhead around. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Copperhead
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| I'll leave him be until he becomes a problem. I'm not afraid of him as long as he doesn't surprise me. I guess it's the circle of life thing. Nature will take care of itself if left alone. |
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- Posted by riverspots (My Page) on Fri, Apr 9, 10 at 7:33
| I've had garter snakes in my small (600 G) pond on several occasions. I don't think my adult goldfish were bothered though a few fry could have been consumed. Mostly, I just wasn't thrilled to have them lurking in the foliage where I could stick my hands, unsuspecting. But that goes for the garden beds, too. Still, I'd rather have a couple garter snakes than slugs. |
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