I never knew what a garter snake was either, so my reaction.  Wifey has now put me on the straight and narrow, a garter snake in the garden keeps the mice away.  Where I grew up snakes were a no no, almost each one deadly poisonous, and I have had some close calls, like stepping on a sleeping one (luckily had gum boots on), surprising one while blackberry picking (luckily he also was so surprised  that he slithered away) almost jumping on one whilst jumping over a small creek (I am told I changed direction in mid-air) having one slither between my feet on a bushwalk (it must have been its day off).  Nowadays, if there are no kiddies around, I like to look at and observe them.  I did try to pick up a python by the tail from the roadway one night, but it turned on me and discretion got the better of valor.