Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Thamnophis, Species: T. sirtalis
North America, widely distributed across most of the United States, Canada, and parts of Mexico.
Look up Garter Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Thamnophis, Species: T. sirtalis
Conservation
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern, with widespread populations facing localized pressures from habitat loss and road mortality.
Physical Description
Dark brown to olive body with a distinct checkered pattern and lighter flecking along the scales, and visible vertical light-and-dark barring along the upper and lower labial scales on the head.
Size & Dimensions
Specimen is approximately 45-60 cm long; typical adults range from 46 to 130 cm in total length.
Habitat
Found in a diverse range of habitats including forests, fields, woodlands, marshes, prairies, and suburban backwaters, typically near water sources.
Diet & Feeding
Active forager feeding on a variety of small prey including amphibians, earthworms, fish, and small rodents.
Reproduction
Viviparous, giving birth to live young in litters that can range from 10 to over 40 offspring during the summer months.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern, with widespread populations facing localized pressures from habitat loss and road mortality.
Cultural Significance
Often encountered in suburban areas, serving as a common subject in nature education and playing a beneficial role in controlling garden pests.
Notable Features
Exhibits distinct labial bars around the mouth line and possesses strongly keeled dorsal scales with a resilient, adaptable nature.