Garter snakes are common across North and Central America, known for their striped patterns and harmless disposition. These adaptable reptiles are frequently encountered in gardens, fields, and near water sources. The answer to whether garter snakes dig holes for shelter is no; they are not equipped to excavate their own burrows. They rely entirely on the existing environment for all their sheltering needs, whether for daily thermal regulation or for winter dormancy.
The Direct Answer: Non-Burrowing Behavior
Garter snakes are biologically and anatomically unsuited for creating tunnels in packed soil. Their slender, limbless body design lacks the leverage and tools necessary to displace and compact soil effectively. True burrowing animals possess specialized physical attributes like robust forelimbs and modified snouts for moving earth. Garter snake bodies are optimized for slithering across surfaces, swimming, and climbing. While a snake can push its way into loose soil, leaf litter, or soft mulch, this action is more akin to rooting than true digging. They cannot penetrate the dense structure of typical yard soil, meaning any hole a garter snake uses was created by another force or creature.
Utilizing Existing Structures for Shelter
Since garter snakes cannot dig, they exploit existing environmental voids for temporary cover. During active months, they need shelter to regulate body temperature, hide from predators, and ambush prey. These temporary refuges are typically shallow and close to the ground’s surface. Common hiding spots include:
- The space beneath flat rocks, logs, or dense piles of vegetation.
- Discarded construction materials.
- Natural crevices such as cracks in pavement or stone walls.
- Small voids found near the foundations of buildings.
These locations provide a cool retreat from the midday sun and protection from predators.
Communal Hibernacula
Deep winter dens are called hibernacula. When cold weather arrives, garter snakes must descend below the frost line to enter brumation, a state of dormancy requiring a deep, protected cavity. They achieve this depth by utilizing deep, pre-existing underground structures, not by digging. These sites are commonly abandoned rodent burrows, natural rock fissures, sinkholes, or cracks in building foundations that extend several feet below ground. Hibernacula are communal, with hundreds or even thousands of snakes gathering in a single location. This mass aggregation is a survival strategy, as the collective body heat helps maintain a minimum safe temperature throughout the winter.
Identifying Burrow Culprits
If a hole is observed in a lawn or garden, it is highly probable that a mammal or another animal created it, not a garter snake. These primary excavators are the “burrow culprits” whose abandoned or active tunnels snakes opportunistically inhabit. Rodents such as voles, mice, ground squirrels, and chipmunks are common diggers of small-diameter tunnels, often between one and three inches wide. Larger mammals, like groundhogs and moles, also create extensive burrow systems that garter snakes may utilize. A true mammal burrow entrance typically features a distinct mound of excavated dirt at the opening, a feature that would never be present at a naturally occurring crevice. Garter snakes are considered simple occupants, meaning they take advantage of the shelter without performing excavation.