We had a surprise today as we were enjoying our backyard swing. Our son had just moved a tarp from the mat that our swing sits on. There exposed was a snake, the first one we have ever seen in our 12 years living in this property. We’re glad to see this guy in our yard.
Surprise, I was hiding under that tarp
This retile is a common garter snake. (Thamnophis sirtalis) It is fine to have around, it is perfectly harmless to humans. They are carnivorous and thrive on small live prey like insects, earthworms, slugs, snails and small fish, among other backyard pests.
Portrait of our new found backyard resident
Garter snakes are diurnal, meaning they are primarily active during daylight hours. In the summer heat they come out early morning and late evening. Spring and fall are the seasons when they like coming out during mid day. You may see them sunbathing during the day.
Roadtirement 
They are the good guys for sure! As kids we picked them up and also rescued those that had fallen onto those deep basement window wells with vertical walls they could not crawl on. There ya go, eat some bugs!! ☺️
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That would have been a fun event, the rescue of the fallen guys in the window well.
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Yes, I remember this with some details! Getting down there to pick them up was not easy for a kid!
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Cute little guy. Our cats bring snakes into the house, and we catch them and put them back outside. Surprisingly, the cats don’t injure them.
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I can see a kitty proudly walking into your house to show off “look what I caught”! Never a dull moment with a house full of feline predators, huh?
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Never.
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That would have freaked me out.
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It was a bit of a surprise as we have never seen a snake since we momved in here.
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Oh, I love garter snakes! We have snake dens in our area where large numbers of them spend the winter. I haven’t seen any this year yet; they normally come out in May, stay near the dens to mate, then leave. May was unusually cold this year, though. I am always so excited when I see one!
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They are sure nice to have in the garden and yard. They are amazing creatures.
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Garter snakes and frogs are my favourite garden allies!! They eat up all the slugs.
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Certainly hope he/she is a permanent resident in our backyard. slugs…eewww
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