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The Snake Scientist
Aimed at readers aged 9 to 12, Sy Montgomery’s children’s book about garter snakes doesn’t insult the intelligence of older readers. (March 16, 2010)
Some Garter Snake Feeding Problems
There are many reasons why captive snakes won’t eat in captivity. Garter snakes have a few more. (January 25, 2010)
Garter Snakes in Spring
Photographers capture images of garter snakes emerging from hibernation. (April 26, 2009)
Garter Snakes in Winter
In winter, garter snakes are supposed to be hibernating. This presents some challenges when one turns up in your basement, or when you’re keeping them as pets over the winter. (January 7, 2008)
You Can’t Tease-Feed a Garter Snake
Garter snakes are active hunters rather than ambush predators, and that has implications for how you feed them in captivity. (Updated) (November 22, 2006)
The Narcisse Snake Dens in the Off-Season
I thought the Narcisse snake dens weren’t worth visiting in the off-season. I was wrong. (September 19, 2006)
Telling Garter Snakes and Ribbon Snakes Apart
This article explains how to figure out the difference between ribbon snakes and garter snakes when you encounter them in the wild. (May 30, 2006)
The Thirty-First Garter Snake
The 31st species of garter snake has a tiny range in western Mexico. Here’s what we know about it. (May 18, 2006)
Feeding Earthworms: Red Wigglers vs. Nightcrawlers
Red wigglers — the worms used in composting — are plentiful and easy to raise. But you can’t use them to feed your garter snakes; here’s why. (May 12, 2006)
The Seven Rules of Raising Baby Garter Snakes
Baby garter snakes have different care requirements than other colubrids. They can trip you up if you’re not ready for them, but they’re not that difficult once you know them. (May 3, 2006)
Differences Between Male and Female Garter Snakes
With most snakes, there isn’t much difference between males and females, but with garter snakes, there are a few differences between the sexes that might make a difference to you. (September 12, 2005)
Raising Baby Garter Snakes: Some Personal Observations
The books don’t tell you about raising baby garter snakes; here’s what I’ve learned from my own trials and errors. (May 5, 2005)
Resetting a Garter Snake’s Appetite
Hibernation isn’t the only option: changing the diet may be just the thing to get a stubborn garter snake to start eating again in the fall. (February 6, 2005)
For Ringlet
Terry and Christine Gomes remember a favourite pet. (December 8, 2004)
The San Francisco Garter Snake in Canada
What was once thought of as unattainable is now available in Canada — for a price. An interview with Montreal garter snake breeder Phil Blais. (June 4, 2004)
Questions About Ribbon Snakes in Captivity
Ribbon snakes are supposed to be less than satisfactory captives, but an encounter with some Northern Ribbon Snakes made me rethink that view. (June 4, 2004)
Some Notes on Wandering Garter Snakes, Thamnophis elegans vagrans
They may not win many beauty contests, but they’re one of the best garter snakes to keep in captivity. (June 3, 2004)
Domestic Mice as Food for Butler’s Garter Snakes, Thamnophis butleri
Despite their reputation as earthworm specialists, Butler’s Garter Snakes have been fed domestic mice successfully in captivity. (June 3, 2004)
Understanding Garter Snakes Through Their Diets
You can learn a lot about a garter snake by what it eats. (June 3, 2004)

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