Garter Snakes

Question
Hi i am 12 years old and for my next Birthday i want a snake but my parents said i have to prove that i can take care of one and so i thought the easiest one would be a Garter Snake but they told me i would have to go catch one i live close to a mountain and i want to go catch one but i need to know how to pick them up without hurting them and also what to feed them and how big there cage needs to be.
                          Thanks, Megan

Answer
Megan, wild garter snakes tend to be a bit... fiesty!  You may get bit, musked on, pooped on, etc.  SO be careful.  ALso, be VERY sure you are picking up a garter and not something else.  To pick up a snake grab it around the middle gently but firmly enough so that it doesn't get away.  

I would really recommend that you and parents go and pick out a captive born garter or better yet a corn snake as your first pet.  The size of the cage depends on the size of the snake you end up with.  Ideally, you want the cage as long as the snake is.