OH how stunning. I used to catch them with my dad when we went on hunting trips in Manitoba (I was young then, ok? )

They were pretty enough with the gold stripes, and an orange stripe was rare. The colours on that 'girlfriend' (who does look a tad plump to me!) are simply stunning! I didn't know garter snakes could have colours like that!

From Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garter_snake

I also read that to encourage them to stay around, that a nice rock pile would do that. They love to bask in the sun on rocks.

They eat mostly insects and stuff...but were said on Wiki to eat rodents...so I would think wee new kittens should be kept at a safe distance.

Lovely critters!