Caught a wild garter!

[Mendel's Balls]

I just caught a wild garter snake on a shrub in my yard. It's fairly small, probably 6 inches long....and wasn't too aggressive either. I've put him/her in a container that I had pre-setup for hatchling corns. I'd like to take some pictures of it once it calms down....and perhaps keep it for a bit?

Or is that really cruel? Garters are a common species around here (and everywhere )....and I have the proper enclosure, time, and feeders.

If I do keep this guy around for a bit- any advice??


(Ohh and I noticed half of it's mouth doesn't close with a tight seal...possible old injury?)

You should probably first identify it and then check your state's laws.

For example, to catch and keep any herp in PA you must have a fishing license. Furthermore, our state puts seasonal limits as well as daily catch and possession limits on species. Some reptiles and amphibians have NO open season and the daily catch and possession limit is ZERO-meaning that it is illegal in our state to catch and keep those species. I am not sure of the reason, but the Shorthead Garter Snake is on that list (go to http://www.fish.state.pa.us/fishpub/summary/repamp.html and scroll down after the first chart to see for yourself). You should also consult an endangered and threatened species list for your state as it is illegal to catch and keep any species on that list as well. Finally, some species in some states require a permit if you want to keep them.

Now will you get caught if it is an illegal herp?.....Probably not-but the herps on the endangered/threatened lists or the No open season list, in theory, are on there for a reason. For example, you should think about other people and their children if it is on an endangered list, if you keep it, it wont have the ability to reproduce in the wild and then those people may not experience finding that species when they are field herping.

Hope that helps.

Posting pics here may allow others to help you identify it.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

actually, to catch and keep a herp in PA, you do not need a fishing liscense unless the animal is actually taken out of the waters of PA. I always thought you had to have one for all herps too, until this year, I re read the manual and it clearly says, this is directly off their website:

A fishing license is required to catch or take reptiles and amphibians from the waters of the Commonwealth. A fishing license is not required for reptiles and amphibians on land.

Thamnophis brachystoma, the shorthead garter snake is on the zero limit list because it is a species of special concern and is threatened.

I have also spoken with some game officials at shows and what not, and color morphs, such as white sided black rat snakes are not of any concern (obviously because they are not WC animals)

[Mendel's Balls]

actually, to catch and keep a herp in PA, you do not need a fishing liscense unless the animal is actually taken out of the waters of PA. I always thought you had to have one for all herps too, until this year, I re read the manual and it clearly says, this is directly off their website:



Thamnophis brachystoma, the shorthead garter snake is on the zero limit list because it is a species of special concern and is threatened.

Thanks for the clarification on the law-that makes sense! Thanks also for the species information.