Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I found a baby snake in my basement in my slop sink. I know there are snakes in our yard and we have pictures of an adult one...the baby one was a mini version of this...should I be worried that it got into my basement...I have no idea how. And are they dangerous???

not ta worry, it's a garter snake. they're harmless

Yep, harmless Garter Snake, they might get feisty and try to bite but it's just for show.

Thanks for your replies....I was so freaked out to find a snake in my basement...I live in suburban Long Island...not something I expected to see when I went downstairs. My husband got it into a container and took it back outside...hopefully it won't be back...I guess there's a small hole or crevace that it got through.

It is certainly positive to hear that there are still reptile species living in an area many of us westerners have written off long ago as industrial/urban wastelands. Even if only a gartersnake, it gives one pause for hope. You should feel very fortunate!

They are correct. The garter found it's way into your celler as it was looking for a warm place to sleep thru the winter. Outside temps are lethal this time of year so it took refuge as they do in the wild (in a convieniant hole in the ground) where temps would not sink too low.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

I get those in my basement too! It is very comical when you pick them up and they flatten out like a cobra and try to bite you. A bite does not hurt, it is rather funny, but when you get "musked" you need to go take a shower and change clothes. Yuk! But I love gerter snakes.
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