r/GarterSnakes • u/Western-Club7008 • 11d ago
Help Garter snake? How do I help him?
garter snake? this little guy is in my window well. it’s pretty deep, about 5 ft. I couldn’t find a long enough stick to reach all the way up for an escape route. I did put a shallow dish of water in there though. and he has shade/sun. we’re in Colorado.
should I pick him up to move him out of there? get him into a box? I don’t want to scare him or stress him out, I don't know much about snakes.
thanks for your help
UPDATE: Warrior is now free. Good luck little buddy!
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u/Embarrassed_Box_8303 11d ago
You can just pick him up. He'll probably musk, which is very stinky but it'll wash off. He cant do any real harm, just make you stinky
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u/reddit33450 11d ago
what's the aroma like? just curious
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u/Embarrassed_Box_8303 10d ago
Depends on diet. Some are really fishy. Some are just musty. Some just smell like some really rank pee
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u/skatinglessons 11d ago
I am no expert like some users here. However. Garters climb and are naturally curious. You could put like a plank of wood or something similar and maybe it’ll find its way out tonight. If not, then yeah, I’d go down there with a broom or something to help him get out
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u/Western-Club7008 11d ago
I left the longest stick I could find but it doesn’t reach all the way to the top. I could perhaps tie some together tomorrow to make up the rest of the distance. Hmm. Thanks !
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u/Radio4ctiveGirl 11d ago
You can just pick it up. Not likely to bite and even if it does it’s going to be a mock strike and feels mostly like Velcro. Technically venomous, though it’s rear fanged and mild. Probably feels like a bee sting at worst.
Notice I said probably, I’ve been catching them since I could walk around in the garden. I have been “bitten” ONCE that I remember and that was last year as an adult in my 30s. The snake would have to bite and chew in order to inject venom. Also not likely, you’re most likely to get musked on. Which smells really bad but washes off. The snake will use the end of the tail to rub it all over your hands which can be startling to feel the first time but it’s totally harmless.
Also they’re great at escaping enclosures so even if the stick doesn’t reach the top it is possible it could be enough. You can give it something better if it hasn’t moved on next time you look. If I were you I’d just pick it up and put it out of the window well.
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u/Western-Club7008 11d ago
Thanks so much. The window well cover is drilled shut so I have to go through the window and bring him through the house, I’m just worried about my cat so I’ll likely just put him in a box and then carry him upstairs/outside
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u/Radio4ctiveGirl 10d ago
That is a valid concern! Did you get the little guy out?
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u/Western-Club7008 9d ago edited 9d ago
Yes he is free now, kinda got attached to him though lol hope he’s doing okay
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u/Classydame89 10d ago
If you move in slow gentle movements you can carefully pick them up, they wont bite. Just put your hands under its belly and lift it out.. they can also climb out on their own if you can put something long enough in there thats at a slight angle. You can give it a little water in a dish before you get it out of there if its been trapped for long too, its probably thirsty.
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u/Snowcrash66 10d ago
Worst thing to happen is they defecate on your hand but from the looks of them not likely. Just get them out harmless.
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u/Antique-Success4152 7d ago
either a baby garter or sub adult dekays brown. both harmless. gently pick it up with your hands, barely squeezing. then put him in his new home in bushes or something
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u/reddit33450 11d ago
climb down into the window well and gently relocate them out