Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering can garters constrict? Also can they eat mice and full grown mice, alive or frozen?

I have seen wandering garters throw a loop around mice to help hold them while they eat them, constricting just a little, not enough to kill them tho. Larger garters can eat adult mice, frozen is much better for them, any parasites are killed and the snake won't get chewed up by the mice!!

I've never seen garters specifically constrict, but my two will often 'lasso' my fingers with their tails when I handle them, as a means of holding on. Kind of handy, it makes them into their own leashes!

Michelle

In the book "Garter Snakes: Evolution and Ecology" it mentions under the thamnophis elegans species account that they exhibit some constricting behavior. I have had a couple wandering garters that have done it on occasion. I prefer the frozen/thawed, safer for the snakes!