I haven't seen any garter snakes, though I'm sure they're around; primarily, we have rat snakes, and they are the stockman's best friend. They keep rodents out of the feed barrels. Occasionally one will eat an egg. They've learned we won't hurt them, and will even stay put and allow us to root around under them for any other eggs that may still be in the nest! While the area is notorious for pit vipers in general and rattlesnakes in particular (the region once went by the name "Rattlesnake Springs"), we've never seen one on our farm, and we've never lost an animal to snakebite. Don't know what's keeping them away, but I'm not complaining! ;D
I haven't seen any garter snakes, though I'm sure they're around; primarily, we have rat snakes, and they are the stockman's best friend. They keep rodents out of the feed barrels. Occasionally one will eat an egg. They've learned we won't hurt them, and will even stay put and allow us to root around under them for any other eggs that may still be in the nest! While the area is notorious for pit vipers in general and rattlesnakes in particular (the region once went by the name "Rattlesnake Springs"), we've never seen one on our farm, and we've never lost an animal to snakebite. Don't know what's keeping them away, but I'm not complaining! ;D