They are our largest snake species. Garter Snakes come out of winter hibernation in May. They are common near pond and lake shores, as well as woodlands, rocky roadsides, farmlands, gravel pits and abandoned buildings. Daytime is their active period. You may see the same snake each sunny day basking in a warm spot.
Garters are excellent swimmers too, moving over the surface of the water with an undulating motion.
Some people call them water snakes. They eat a variety of small animals such as salamanders, fishes, frogs, worms and mice. The babies are born alive in late summer, from 6 to 40 in a family. Baby Garter Snakes are greenish-grey, with no visible markings, and about 10 cm long. They look like smooth grey worms with eyeballs.