The Texas Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis annectens) is one of the three snakes that have established breeding populations in our greenhouses. All three species (the other two are water snakes) share a common characteristic: they are livebearers. Since there is no sand or soil in our greenhouses egg laying snakes can’t reproduce in them. Livebearers, however, can and do.
Texas Garter Snakes colonized the greenhouses about 2002 and have gone through quite a few generations. They feed on feral fish in the sumps and gutters and occasionally harvest fish from our vats. We try to inhibit this latter behavior. At one time there was a very tame male that would take cull fish from my fingers.
Armando Nunez says
Good morning, came across your site and I’m very curious if you have any garter snakes available? Looking for captive breed, not wild caught please.
Charles Clapsaddle says
Armando, I’m very sorry about the tardy response. I just saw this message. We don’t deliberately culture any snakes, they are just resident in and around the greenhouses and reproduce naturally.
Charles