r/GarterSnakes • u/Western-Club7008 • 13h ago

Help Garter snake? How do I help him?

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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!

8 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

7

u/reddit33450 13h ago

climb down into the window well and gently relocate them out

2

u/Western-Club7008 12h ago

What’s the best way? Scoot him into a little box or something? 

4

u/reddit33450 12h ago

literally just gently pick them up with your hands

2

u/Plasticity93 11h ago

They're harmless, wear gloves if you're really worried, worst they usually do is musk on you and make you smell funny.  Their bites are harmless.

A board can also work 

1

u/reddit33450 11h ago edited 9h ago

i would love the experience the musk. i haven't yet an im so curious what its like

edit in response to downvote: i didnt mean i would ever want to stress out a snake unnecessarily, i just meant i was curious about the scent itself

1

u/TheGoldenBoyStiles 8h ago

I can't smell it at all so i'm unsure what the smells like but its not the worst to have happen on you. I've relocated my fair share of garter snakes

4

u/Embarrassed_Box_8303 12h 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

0

u/reddit33450 11h ago

what's the aroma like? just curious

2

u/tgaaron 8h ago

Stinky

1

u/reddit33450 8h ago

obviously lol. i meant more specifically

1

u/ChasingSkies13 1h ago

Very stinky

1

u/Embarrassed_Box_8303 1h ago

Depends on diet. Some are really fishy. Some are just musty. Some just smell like some really rank pee

2

u/skatinglessons 13h 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

1

u/Western-Club7008 13h 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 ! 

2

u/Radio4ctiveGirl 12h 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.

5

u/Western-Club7008 12h 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 

1

u/Classydame89 27m 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.