Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I live in the midwest(Illinois) and my friend's large backyard is the perfect habitat for garter snakes. When in the year is a good time to head out and see if I could find some specimens?

I think babies are born in april. But if you want gravid, go earlier.

Okay. I think gravid would be a good option.. the garters I find sometimes there in summer are quite fiesty, haha. Thank you.

I would like to see other people's ideas on this as it is interesting and I would like to find some.

I live in Northeast Ohio and I found my garter in the woods by where I live around the beginning of October. I had seen atleast 15 different garter snakes the day before I went and caught her. Not sure why they were so active at this time. We've had some funky weather around here so far this winter, not sure if that had anything to do with it or not.

Cyndi

Well I guess that I should say that I found my garter in early October as well, in Southern Wisconsin under a large rock.

What earlier time this year would be good for starting "garter hunting" then?

In central Ohio I start finding them under boards and stuff in late March. Babies arrive late May to mid-June. Gravid females under woodpiles in early May. Out roving around on warm sunny mornings from late March onward. Different areas and weather are likely to cause different times than what I've given. Do you have Gray treefrogs in your area?
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Jamie W.

(url)http://rosyboas.tripod.com(/url)

Yes I do have grey treefrogs. I live near chicago, just north.

I asked because the creatures in the habitat are better indicators of what is going on that a date on the calendar. Once I hear the first lone gray, the garters are becoming more plentiful under warm cover (boards & stuff that warms in the sun). When the grays are in their full late spring congresses, I'm finding the gravid female garters. Hope that helps.
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Jamie W.

(url)http://rosyboas.tripod.com(/url)

Yes, and I live just north of Chicago as well.

Garters will start coming out soon after the snow melts and it starts warming up. Babies are born around late june to august. You can start looking soon as the snow is gone!!

So what time does that make them breed?

They breed when they emerge from hibernation. It's fun to watch them come out...there's a small den I go to in the spring and watch them come out. No big mating balls, just smaller groups of them, still fun to watch!!

We have no snow as of right now!! Haha, though I know we will probably have a few more snow storms before the end of February. Thanks for your help!