 Ever reach for a cucumber or squash in the garden only to be startled by a snake slithering through the undergrowth? More often than not, it's a simple garter snake. While some parts of the country do have venomous snakes to beware of, the common garter snake is no threat to humans. Here's a few reassuring garter snake facts. They're quite shy and won't bite unless provoked. If you should be bitten, the worst you can expect is a slight swelling or rash.