Where have the garter snakes gone?

[Melantha]

I live in southeastern Minnesota. All through the spring and most of the summer, I enjoyed seeing the eastern garter snakes that live under my porch and driveway. I recognized several individuals who would sun themselves in a couple locations almost every morning. Then, in late July, they seem to have disappeared. Sightings are down from almost daily to maybe once a week. Whats up? where have they gone? I live in a suburban neighborhood that has great habitat, a huge field and pond out back.

[Albert Clark]

Well, there are a wide range of snakes including a couple of species of garter snakes in your state. It probably has to do with the time of day you are looking for them. They do travel long distances foraging and seeking out areas that are abundant in food preferences. As well they travel far for adequate hibernacula, but it is rather early for that.

[pet_snake_78]

Some years I see lots in my yard, other years I don't see many. I've never really tried to figure out why but I suspect it is related to weather patterns and just dumb luck.

[RAD House]

With amphibians on the decline worldwide, I wonder the effects it may have on the beloved garters in our own yards.

[Melantha]

I saw one yesterday, what I think is a yearling. I am keeping careful track of when I see them, just for my own info. I saw at least 3 distinct individuals from spring through the 3rd wk in July and then poof! Vanished. Now I've had a couple sightings since then but nothing like the almost daily, predictable times and places of earlier this summer. I've noticed they don't seem to like windy days. My most interesting (to me) observation is that a couple of the snakes seem to hang out together a lot. I've always thought of them as solitary creatures.