A closeup photo of a giant Blue Phase Eastern Garter.

DESCRIPTION: This is about as big as Garter Snakes get. This was my first set of red snake tongs, but I upgraded to the better, and gentler, "Gentle Giant" tongs.

If you need snake removal in your town, click for the National Directory of Snake Removal Companies that I've carefully compiled in every USA city.

The Garter Snake in Captivity – Common Medical Issues

Garter snakes are one of the most popular breeds of snakes today, both in the wild and in captivity. When in the natural world, a snake is able to adapt to the conditions and demands of their environment. When a snake is in captivity, it is necessary to provide the proper environmental conditions so as to match the kind of habitat the snake might experience in the wild. However if food and proper habitat conditions are not maintained, medical issues can arise.

An inadequate or unbalanced diet can cause nutritional deficiencies in vitamin B1, E, and Calcium. Lack of exercise and overfeeding can result in excessive weight gain. Physical issues, not related to nutrition, are the result of poor habitat set-up. Injuries such as cuts and burns can be caused by sharp objects in the cage or hot lamps not properly covered in order to avoid direct contact.

When two snakes are kept together, there is always the risk of bites occurring between the two animals. If any of these injuries are not treated within an adequate timeframe, infections can occur. If your snake’s enclosure is not properly sealed and he escapes, there is always a risk of injury from him being stepped on or crushed in some way.

Another physical issue that is a direct result of the snake’s environment is a skin infection – whether it is bacterial or fungal. An environment that is too humid for the animal can be a breeding ground for various kinds of bacteria. Parasites are also a factor. They can occur internally or externally and are caused most often by inadequately kept housing. However it is important to note that most external parasites are a direct result of the environment, while internal parasites are often caused by feeding the snake items that have been extracted from the wild.

Click to go back to my full Florida snake removal photo gallery. Visit my Florida snake removal journal blog! Lots of great Florida snake stories!

Running a wildlife removal business in the state of Florida gives me the chance to see all kinds of interesting snakes! Florida has about 45 species of snake, and I've seen 29 of them so far. I've always got my eye out for new species, and I love spotting rare snakes in Florida. I also have a thing for venomous snakes - they're not too common in FL, so I always enjoy the chance to see a poisonous serpent. I really like snakes, and I've never hurt or killed one. They're an important part of the ecosystem, and often persecuted. Still, if you don't want snakes in your house or on your property, and judging from the number of phone calls I receive regarding snake problems, you don't, then give me or a local snake expert in your area a call, and we can remove the snakes from your property for you. I use many snake control methods - from snake traps, to snake repellents, to habitat modification, but most of all, good old-fashioned capture and removal. If you want to learn more, please read my How To Get Rid of Snakes page.

AAAnimal Control is a privately owned wildlife removal and pest control business, located in Orlando Florida. I deal strictly with wild animals including snakes inside houses. I am not an extermination company, but a critter removal and control specialist. The above photos are some of the many that I've taken in the field over my years of work. Please email me if you have any questions about the above photographs, or any questions about wildlife problems or Florida snake removal issues.

You can safely catch snakes with a special trap, which you can order by clicking this banner:
Wildlife Photographs by David     Email me with questions: david@aaanimalcontrol.com     Residential & Commercial     Licensed & Insured