Often described as ‘cool’ and ‘cute,’ snakes were a precious discovery in the yard when my sons were young. My grandsons were just as smitten recently when their dad was able to capture one I had spotted swimming across a large vernal pool in the woods.
This Maritime Garter Snake Thamnophis sirtalis pallidula was in its Unstriped phase. These garter snakes also have Black and Striped phases.
It seemed fairly non-aggressive according to my son, who’s been bitten by garter snakes in the past. It was pretty compliant and even stuck out its forked tongue for the camera.
As I expected, there were tears shed when it was released back into the wild. Why can’t we keep it? I want to keep it as a pet! Though they can be fairly friendly, garter snakes do give off a bad scent in captivity or when they feel threatened. When will we ever find another? I’ve come across a few already in the woods this year, so there’s a good chance we’ll see another soon.
In the meantime, we’ll let this one enjoy its freedom in the summer sun. Happy trails snake. (Just don’t freak me out by getting under my feet in the woods!)
For more on garter snakes, see Garden Garter and Snake Berries
Text and photographs copyright Amy-Lynn Bell 2013
Flandrum Hill 
I’m amazed y’all caught a garter snake – they’re usually faster than that. As a boy mom, I’ve caught my share of snakes for exactly the experience you describe. My boys are older so those are great memories, at least until grandkids come along. Thanks for your inspiration!
Faith, I was amazed how agile it was as it moved through the wood terrain, across the water and out on dry ground again. Luckily, my son was nearby to catch it, otherwise I never would have been able to.
My most vivid memory of snakes involves my three sons wanting to bring their latest captive in the house while we went out shopping. They were concerned a neighbor would take it while we were away. (Who knew snakes were such a hot commodity among boys??) I told them they could keep it in the laundry tub until we returned. Before we left the house, I peeked into the laundry room to see if the snake was ok. To my surprise, it was already out of its ‘closed’ container, scaling the sides of the laundry tub with its head peeking over the top edge. I yelled out to the boys to get it outside and before either of us took another breath it was back in the yard. If it had escaped the laundry tub while we were out shopping, wash days would never have been the same!
OOOOOOOO lovely lovely garter snake.
There many of them on a quarter acre lot my folks bought along with a house in an undeveloped area. There was also a great deal of wildlife in that small area–UNTIL–guess what–the developers moved in and poured cement everwhere. It was like watching the destruction of the garden of eden right there from the backyard.
Sorry, but that’s what your lovely photos reminded me of as soon as I saw them. O How I adore those little snakes as a kid.
Eva, this one was certainly photogenic 🙂
We seem to be getting more and more wildlife in the yard – probably because the woods out back are becoming more ‘developed.’ I only have a bit over an acre but it’s enough for a variety of small creatures to thrive. As more wild land becomes ‘civilized’ I wonder what will happen to the larger creatures that require much more space to roam. It is so sad to see them lose their homes.
Oh he’s lovely.
Sybil, perhaps we’ll come across him one day when we’re out shopping together in the green grocery aisle 😉
Beautiful, beautiful little snake! I loved to catch them as a kid and still do when opportunity permits, but you’re right about the smell factor, and they’re better off free, anyway. Your photographs of the snake are stunning!
Pamela, the photos reveal the gorgeous texture of its skin in a way that I wasn’t even able to see in person. My son had already noticed it giving off a smell, so it was definitely best to let it go. Although it seemed relaxed, it was probably quite terrified of us. It kept sticking its tongue out whenever I brought the camera in for a close-up.
Your garter snake was very friendly-looking! He reminded me of the ones we would occasionally see sunning themselves on the stone walls my father built around our house.
I’ve never seen a garter snake – and I’m not sure I would’ve attempted to capture one! A beautiful creature though…