Saturday, March 24, 2012

Introductions Needed

I want to introduce you to my latest gardening companion... We have named it Stripey since we don't know if it is a him or a her.  Stripey seems to be about 20" long.
Stripy has a penchant for earth worms. 
The other evening I was watching Stripey rooting through the mulch. I could tell he was hungry. So I dug up some earth worms to feed to him.
Yumm yummm. He was quite happy to have them. After he ate 4 earthworms, 
he looked at me as if to say, OK what is for dessert. 
I have read that Eastern Garter snakes eat mostly earth worms, toads and frogs. I had one of these snakes in the garden last year and had hardly no slug damage or snail damage on my hostas. I think they must eat these too.  In the photo below you can see him staring at an empty snail shell. He could have been sitting still so I wouldn't see him. Clever fellow (fellowette).
Have you had any wildlife in your garden lately?

18 comments:

  1. I LOVE that you fed Mr/Ms Stripey! How fun! :-) I hope he/she stays around, too... and maybe sends a few cousins my way. Pretty sure I have enough slugs for the whole family to enjoy. lol.

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  2. By the way... Luna won't go after the snake? Or she just can't catch it?

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  3. I do welcome snakes in my garden, but I'm not sure I could actually feed one!

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  4. I do have garter snakes. Sure hope they're eating lotsa pests.

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  5. I've had a lifelong fear of snakes. I've gotten better over the years but they still give me the creeps. I know some are good for catching insects and such.

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  6. We have these little critters in our yards here too. Cute that you helped it find food. :) We have lots of wild life around us. Squirrels, birds, snakes, deer, a fox, racoons. oh and cant forget the skunks. PU. lol

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  7. That's a beautiful snake and big too! Love that you dug up some worms for him/her. Hmmm, no slug damage you say, I could use one of those snakes myself.

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  8. not a big fan of snakes; but even less a fan of slugs! Maybe I need to let the stripeys in the neighborhood know that the garden is open for business!

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  9. Lisa,
    If I EVER do find a snake in my garden, I'm going to flip completely out. Then, when I regain my senses I'll box him up and mail him to you. LOL

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  10. Stripey is so cute! I've occasionally seen garter snakes in my garden, and last year I had a black snake until my neighbor ran over it with his mower. So sad.

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  11. I do love your Stripey!
    Lovely snake!
    Lots of critters call our yard home...when ever we see a snake I am so pleased. Hope the Blue Racer returns this year a gorgeous snake!
    Fast track Spring this year.
    Sherry

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  12. how fun to picture you feeding this snake worms. how wonderful that he helps your garden grow!

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  13. I know there are snakes in my garden. As long as I don't meet them, it is Ok for me... It is total panic when I see them, especially when they invite themselves into my house...
    Sometimes ago, I had a hedgehog, and no snails. Sadly, he crossed the bridge, and his house is empty (yes, I do have a hedgehog house to rent)
    by far, I prefer the cats and birds...

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  14. Oh, God. I would faint if a snake this big was in my yard! I would be calling the fire department!!!

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  15. Holy crapola! I detest snakes of all kinds. I try so hard to leave the good ones alone......they would starve to death if they depended on food from me......heck no!

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  16. Very very cool. I wish I had one or two in my garden but the cats next door would get it..

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