Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis • Order Squamata, Suborder Serpentes, Family Colubridae, Subfamily Natricinae, Genus Thamnophis, Species T. sirtalis
Widely distributed across North America, ranging from southern Canada through the United States down to parts of northern Mexico.
Look up Common Garter Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order Squamata, Suborder Serpentes, Family Colubridae, Subfamily Natricinae, Genus Thamnophis, Species T. sirtalis
Conservation
Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, facing localized threats from habitat fragmentation and road mortality.
Physical Description
Displays brown dorsal coloration with longitudinal light stripes running down the body, a slender build, and keeled dorsal scales.
Size & Dimensions
Estimated specimen length is 50 cm, with typical adult sizes ranging from 46 to 130 cm in total length.
Habitat
Found in diverse habitats including meadows, marshes, woodlands, and suburban gardens, typically near permanent or temporary water sources.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds primarily on amphibians, fish, earthworms, and small mammals, actively foraging in daytime hours.
Reproduction
Ovoviviparous species that mates in spring and gives birth to live young, typically producing litters ranging from 10 to 40 offspring.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, facing localized threats from habitat fragmentation and road mortality.
Cultural Significance
Commonly encountered in suburban areas, serving as an important ecological predator of garden pests and amphibians.
Notable Features
Exhibits high adaptability to human-altered environments and possesses complex chemical communication using a bifurcated tongue.