The Striped Snakes— Garter Snakes 



danger of needing good shelter from the cold spells, has passed. 

 Then they scatter — into the ravines, the thickets, along streams 

 and brooks, until the scene that has abounded with sinuous, crawl- 

 ing life, is deserted. Such localities are the well-known "snake 

 dens" or "snake nests" so often pointed out to the summer 

 tourist who invariably remarks upon the absence of the creatures 

 that have rendered the place notoriously "dangerous." 



So persistently abundant is this species in the eastern 

 United States that it is represented, and in fairnumbers, even with- 

 in the limits of many of the larger cities, in parks of fair area. It 

 is quite common in several portions of Central Park, New York 

 City, and in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. The species cannot 

 be termed a reptile of economic importance to the farmer, as it 

 never feeds upon the smaller mammals, nor any warm-blooded 

 creature, although its liking for earthworms should not place 

 it on unfriendly terms with the agriculturist. Adult specimens 

 feed largely upon frogs and toads, generally swallowing them 

 head first. 



In captivity the species is very hardy, and can be reared 

 from the young with little difficulty. When freshly captured, 

 like all members of the genus Euictnia, it gives off a strong and 

 offensive odour if handled. After a few days in captivity it evinces 

 a good-natured attitude and discards these disagreeable actions. 

 Tame specimens will glide quickly to the door of their cage when 

 it is opened, and take their food readily from one's fingers. 



Like all of the striped snakes, the Garter Snake is a viviparous 

 species. It produces large broods of living young — which may 

 number as high as fifty. Usually born in August, the young 

 snakes at once shift for themselves, feeding almost entirely upon 

 earthworms until hibernating time. With the moist ground 

 of the spring, earthworms are abundant, and the young reptiles 

 grow rapidly. They soon begin feeding upon young toads and 

 frogs. With this diversity of diet the growth is further hastened. 

 It might be explained, however, that through life, although the 

 Garter Snake feeds largely upon batrachians, it remains voraciously 

 fond of earthworms. Young specimens that are upon good feed- 

 ing grounds are about mature when a year old, and breed during 

 the following spring. 



Following are several records of the birth of these snakes, 

 showing the variability of the number produced. 



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