A warm early spring brought out the snakes around the pond in record numbers. I did some research and learned quite a bit about the Eastern garter snakes that were visiting. I expect to see them in spring and sometimes in the garden in summer, but we have never seen them in fall especially when the weather turns cold.
So imagine our surprise at seeing snakes the past few weekends. I have been weeding and planting around the garden, and everywhere I was I saw a garter snake here and there and the occasional rat snake. It is a good thing I love snakes. And I know snakes are great for the garden as they show the habitat is healthy.
But why so many snakes?
We didn’t really have a clue until we saw this over the weekend. We occasionally have snakes that sit 
in the lip of the pond filter where it is dark, warm and safe, but we have never seen a ball of snakes in the filter. And once these 3 snakes left there were 2 more that slithered into the lip from underground.
It then dawned on me that perhaps we were looking at a snake den for garters. The larger snake is likely the female and many of the younger are recent live births. Snakes migrate back to their den in October so we think this is what we were witnessing.
A den doesn’t look like much more than a hole, but a deep hole that can hold 30 or more snakes. It can also be a rock wall, or a stump both of which we have, but we have not noticed snake activity there.
Our pond (pictured right in early March) is a perfect habitat area for a snake as it has a rocky area for a den and lots of 
food; tadpoles and frogs. It appears that the snakes have created a den in this area. In our warm March we saw several snakes continually moving in and out of the rocks around the waterfall (pictured above) before the pump was plugged in. We didn’t see much activity around the pond in spring and summer as snakes leave the den between later March and October. Now they are hanging around the filter area.
I think my biggest concern is the number of young a female can give birth too between August and September. They can have up to 80 little snakes which will be too much for our little pond and yard. We will have to keep an eye out this fall and next spring to make sure we are not overrun. There is a wild area behind us with woods and a pond. It is the perfect place for snakes to run wild and free.
Who knows what we shall see in spring. Perhaps more garters and rat snakes (pictured left) may emerge and go their separate ways into our garden and surrounding wild areas searching for voles. OK maybe I won’t worry too much about them then.
Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. ~George Eliot
© 2012, Donna Donabella. All rights reserved. This article is the property of BeautifulWildlifeGarden.com If you are reading this at another site, please report that to us
About Donna Donabella
Don’t worry, a typical garter snake brood size is closer to 20 than 80. And most of the babies are typically eaten up by other wildlife before putting on size, so you probably won’t be overrun with snakes.
Good to know Dan.
Donna@Gardens Eye View recently posted..As The Blooms Fade
Wow, that’s a lot of snakes. I believe I just read that the rat snake is protected here in my area. I have yet to come across a snake in my garden. I do have a few logs and have added more rocks over the summer. Maybe when I add my small water feature. Love, love your pond.
Kathy Sturr of The Violet Fern recently posted..Eight, Nine, Ten Picks for Diana!
Thanks Kathy. Definitely the water draws them in….can’t wait to see your water feature.
Donna@Gardens Eye View recently posted..As The Blooms Fade
Good gracious, Donna, those gartner snake pics look as if you are overrun already! What a surprise if you aren’t used to seeing them in the Fall… I did see one good sized Rattler in my Topanga home just recently.. think he was looking for water.
kathy recently posted..Where To Go To See Native Plants in California?
Now encountering a poisonous snake would freak me out…
Donna@Gardens Eye View recently posted..As The Blooms Fade
I had a wonderful encounter with two water mocasins once. My friends and I had paddled up a tiny stream and were eating our lunches on a railroad trestle that ran over it. We watched two water moccasins swim up to our canoes, lift their heads out of the water and swim along them, inspecting them all the way. Then, deciding they were OK, they swam to the opposite bank, and curled up to bask in the sun.
I’ve hiked across copperheads before seeing them. Poisonous snakes will not bother you if you don’t bother them. Just respect their space and then can continue to help keep you from being overrun with rats and mice.
Marilyn Kircus recently posted..Leaving the Gold
I am sure you are right Marilyn but just the thought is scary. But I agree just remain calm and steer clear. Respect them and their space. I would love to see the endangered rattler in our area though.
Donna@Gardens Eye View recently posted..As The Blooms Fade
What an amazing find! I would have been at a loss to know why they appeared in October, and this is fascinating.
Carole Sevilla Brown recently posted..Ecosystem Gardening Essentials
Carole glad you enjoyed my encounter.
Donna@Gardens Eye View recently posted..As The Blooms Fade
The snakes are beautiful. Where do you live? When I lived in Newport Ky I saw garter snakes and rat snakes — but I think if I saw this many I would freak out. For sure I would gather as many that I see right now and take them to the woodlands.–before winter!
Linda I live in central New York State….I think a few more snakes would freak me out.
Donna@Gardens Eye View recently posted..As The Blooms Fade
That is sooo cool, Donna. What a beautiful bunch. and I love the picture of your garden showing the pond and gazebo. what a relaxing -looking place to hang out…no wonder the snake gang is there! I’m sure they will figure out their numbers. Nature has a way of tending to itself, or maybe you need to give “live necklaces” as holiday gifts
thanks for sharing this great encounter!
Loret recently posted..New Life List Dragonfly
It is a fun spot for the critters and me…we never know what we will find…not sure any of my neighbors would want a necklace…haha!
Donna@Gardens Eye View recently posted..As The Blooms Fade
It’s soo nice to read something positive about snakes. I was happy to meet a rubber boa and a bull snake while living and working at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
Marilyn Kircus recently posted..Leaving the Gold
Snakes do get a bad rap Marilyn. They are so important and so cool to watch.
Donna@Gardens Eye View recently posted..As The Blooms Fade
We usually see a couple of garter snakes in the fall and this seems like a good explanation..great post Donna…sorry I am late getting around…Michelle
Rambling Woods recently posted..The New Normal….