wild garter found out in freezing weather

[garter newbie]

Help - As my boys were leaving for school this morning, they came across a garter snake just sitting in the middle of the walkway. We live in Philadelphia and it is currently 36 degrees outside. The snake didn't move as they approached it. We did determine it is still alive though. Being the animal lovers they are, they wanted to try to help it. They didn't want to see it freeze to death. Aside from relocating it into the flower garden and covering it loosely with leaves, is there anything else we could do to help it survive?

[infernalis]

Help - As my boys were leaving for school this morning, they came across a garter snake just sitting in the middle of the walkway. We live in Philadelphia and it is currently 36 degrees outside. The snake didn't move as they approached it. We did determine it is still alive though. Being the animal lovers they are, they wanted to try to help it. They didn't want to see it freeze to death. Aside from relocating it into the flower garden and covering it loosely with leaves, is there anything else we could do to help it survive?

Can you keep it over the winter?

This time of year it's chances of finding a den are slim.

[guidofatherof5]

It will not survive if the temps. reach freezing or below.
They seek out a place below the frost line for the Winter.
To be honest the chances of it surviving are slim to none.
Have you given any consideration to keeping it?
There is also a possiblity that the snake is sick as being out in those temps is not normal.
Thanks for being concerned for this little one.

[garter newbie]

Well, of course, my boys suggested we take it in. I do have the set up so could try to keep it. About 5 years ago my boys found a brown snake in the yard in the fall and we tried to keep it. We did our best but it didn't survive very long. I guess if this garter's chance of survival is slim if I don't, there's not much harm in trying, right? I'll have to brush up on my snake husbandry but with the help of this forum hopefully he'll do well.

[guidofatherof5]

That will at least give it a chance for survival. You can always release it next Spring
Here's a link to the caresheet.
Garter Snake Care Sheet - Caresheets

[katach]

Welcome to the forum family! Don't do heat lamps or heating pads right away. Let the ambient temp of your home warm the snake up first. Getting too warm too fast could be bad. When you can we would love to see some pictures.

[EasternGirl]

I don't know if I am right about this or not you guys...but should she try putting the snake in a little slightly warm water to help hydrate and warm him up? When I found a garter once that was near freezing to death a lady that a know that has a rescue here did that with the snake...

[EasternGirl]

Oh...one more thing...if you are in Philly, I am in Delaware...if the snake looks like it is going to make it over the next couple of days and we can make arrangements to get to each other and you can't take the snake...I'll take it. You can send me a private message and we can discuss arrangements. Welcome to the forum!

[garter newbie]

Thank you everyone for your quick replies and helpful info. I was a little concerned shortly after I brought him in because he started flailing around with his mouth opened. But then right after this I saw him moving around normally exploring his new habitat. Now his seems to be just curled up resting. @ Katach... thx for the heads up about not using the heat pads/lamp right away. I just turned both off for now. How long before you think I should use them? I'll post a couple pics shortly.

[EasternGirl]

Do you think you would be interested in making arrangements for me to come and get the snake? If you would rather not keep it, I would love to take it...and I could surely take over nursing the snake back to health.