Garter snakes are one of the most common backyard snakes found across North America. If you’ve spotted one of these harmless serpents slithering through your yard or garden, you may be wondering – how long can these snakes survive without a meal?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: garter snakes can survive without food for 2 to 8 months depending on the season and their body condition going into the fast.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about garter snake fasting capabilities, including how their physiology and the seasons impact how long they can go without eating.
Garter Snake Biology Allows Fasting Adaptability
Fat Reserves for Energy
Garter snakes have the ability to store fat reserves in their bodies that can sustain them during prolonged fasts. When food is plentiful, garters will eat voraciously, sometimes consuming prey equivalent to their own body mass.
This allows them to build up sizable fat deposits that get stored in their abdominal cavity and tails (Carpenter, 1952).
These fat bodies provide an crucial energy source that garters can draw from when prey becomes scarce. Studies show that garters can lose over 40% of their body mass due to fat loss and still survive extended fasts of up to 8-9 months before perishing (Aleksiuk, 1976).
Lowered Metabolic Rate
Another key adaptation is that garters have the ability to lower their standard metabolic rate during food deprivation as an energy-saving mechanism. Aleksiuk (1976) found that the standard metabolic rate of fasting garters declined by up to 72% compared to fed controls.
This suppression of metabolism enables garters to drastically reduce their energy expenditure so their onboard fat supplies can sustain them much longer.
Interestingly, Aleksiuk observed that male garters lowered their metabolic rates quicker and to a greater degree than females. He hypothesized this was because males rely more heavily on fat reserves to survive winter dormancy whereas females utilize their reserves to produce offspring.
Behavioral Changes
In addition to physiological adaptations, garters also demonstrate important behavioral changes when fasting for extend periods. According to Carpenter (1952), fasted garters tend to become very sedentary and lethargic, often hiding in shelters and avoiding unnecessary activity to conserve their precious energy stores.
Aleksiuk (1976) found fasting garters coiled motionless 90% of observations, only rousing briefly to bask or drink.
Another behavior is that garters cease reproduction activities when resources are scarce. Females will not mate or gestate embryos until their fat reserves are restored and environmental conditions improve (Carpenter, 1952).
This ensures they don’t expend crucial energy on breeding that jeopardizes their own survival.
How Seasons Affect Garter Snake Fasting Capabilities
Brumation Through Winter
Garter snakes exhibit a behavior called brumation to survive the winter months when prey is scarce. Brumation is like hibernation but garter snakes will occasionally come out on warm winter days to bask in the sun and drink water.
Their metabolism slows down tremendously, allowing them to go without food for several months. According to herpetologists, garter snakes can go 3-4 months without eating during brumation. Their fasting capabilities in winter are excellent thanks to brumation.
Active Spring and Summer Months
In the spring, garter snakes become active again and begin voraciously hunting for prey like small rodents, frogs, worms, and fish. The warm weather allows garter snakes to digest food quickly and be on the hunt for their next meal.
During spring and summer, garter snakes may only go 1-2 weeks between meals. Their fasting abilities decrease as temperatures rise and they enter their most active feeding phase.
According to a 2016 study, the average garter snake eats about twice per week during the spring and summer. But there is variability based on the snake’s age, size, and reproductive status. For example, pregnant females may eat more frequently – sometimes even daily in the summer.
Preparing for Brumation in Fall
As winter approaches again, garter snakes begin hunting less and their metabolism starts to slow down. In the fall, an adult garter snake may go 2-3 weeks between meals as they start storing energy and prepare for brumation. Their fasting abilities increase again compared to the active spring and summer months.
Here is a comparison of how long garter snakes can fast during different seasons:
| Season | Typical Fasting Duration |
| Winter brumation | 3-4 months |
| Spring/Summer | 1-2 weeks (sometimes daily for pregnant females) |
| Fall pre-brumation | 2-3 weeks |
The seasons have a clear impact on garter snakes’ fasting capabilities. Understanding their brumation behavior is key to appreciating how they can go without food for so long in the winter compared to other times of year.
Individual Snake Condition Impacts Fasting Ability
Body Fat Percentage
Garter snakes with higher percentages of body fat can survive without food for longer periods than leaner snakes [1]. Fat reserves provide the energy needed to sustain basic metabolic functions when prey is scarce.
An overweight or obese snake that has built up ample fat stores may be able to fast for many months without ill effects. Conversely, a thin or underweight snake has minimal fat reserves and may only be able to go a few weeks or less without food before health decline sets in.
Age and Size
Younger, smaller garter snakes generally need to eat more frequently than mature, fully-grown snakes. Hatchlings and juveniles are still developing and require frequent meals to fuel growth and development.
They tend to have minimal fat reserves and may only be able to fast for a week or two before health impacts emerge. Adult snakes are not growing as quickly and can rely more on fat stores when food is limited. Large, mature snakes can often go months between meals.[2]
Health Status
A snake’s overall health impacts its ability to go without food. Snakes weakened by illness, injury or disease are less resilient and may be unable to survive prolonged fasts. Factors like parasites, respiratory infections, mites and calcium deficiencies quickly drain a snake’s reserves, limiting fasting capacity.
Healthy snakes with strong immune function, no underlying issues and optimal nutrient levels can better endure periodic fasting. Proper snake husbandry and veterinary care promotes health and fasting resilience.[3]
| Snake Condition | Fasting Ability |
|---|---|
| High body fat | Can fast for months |
| Young age | Can fast 1-2 weeks max |
| Illness/disease | Fasting ability diminished |
| Healthy adult | Can fast for extended periods |
Conclusion
As we’ve covered, a garter snake’s fasting capabilities depend on seasonal influences, individual snake variation, and specialized physiological adaptations. While they can survive over winter without eating at all, during the active seasons a healthy garter snake may last 2-8 months between meals depending on environmental conditions and body reserves going into the fast.
Understanding the fasting abilities of these common backyard snakes can help you appreciate the adaptability of these reptiles. If you spot a garter snake in your yard, rest assured it’s well equipped to handle periods of time without food thanks to behavioral, physiological and seasonal evolutionary adaptations.
