Garter Snake Food Habits

Garter snakes are generalist feeders and eat anything they can catch.

The garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) is one of the most common snakes found across North America. Garter snakes thrive in a diverse range of habitats because of their ability to feed on a wide variety of prey.

Diet

Garter snakes are generalist feeders known to eat anything they can overpower. Common prey are earthworms, slugs, snails, insects, spiders, amphibians and other snakes.

Specialized Toad Hunters

Toads, when threatened, excrete a chemical solution that is foul tasting and toxic to most predators. Garter snakes are immune to these chemicals and feed on toads with ease.

Venom

Garter snakes possess a weak neurotoxic venom that is not harmful to humans but strong enough to help subdue their prey when hunting. Garter snakes lack fangs for effective delivery of venom, but some people do report having an allergic reaction around garter snake bites.

Hunting Methods

Garter snakes are diurnal and actively hunt down their prey during the day. They use their keen sense of smell as well as their sight to find their prey and will then raise their head off the ground and ambush their target from above.

Small Constrictors

Though they are small in size, garter snakes are like most snakes in that they kill their prey by constriction. Garter snakes then swallow their meal whole.

References

• University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Common Garter Snake
• Anapsid: Garter Snakes
• University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory: Eastern Garter Snake

Resources

• Garter Snake Information: Species Guide