ah, fellow snake lovers. I knew Evelyn had a purpose for me at Fluther. :D
The snakes that release musk for defense are usually water species. Garter snakes are a member of the water snake family, and can live in moist boggy places, not just water. Sometiemes, even the heavy dew in a weedy field is enough for them. They don’t have to have water in abundance, they just prefer it.
Venomous snakes are usually pretty shy about humans; they don’t go looking for us, usually we invade their territory without knowing it. At least the ones here in the Midwest. A Blue (or Black) Racer is one of the most beautiful creatures on the planet.
Okay, I’m going to stop now. I’m not helping the question, and I should stop gushing about snakes. I just love the little buggers so much. :-)