Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Thamnophis, Species: T. sirtalis
North America, ranging from Canada down through the United States to 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 local pressures from habitat loss and road mortality.
Physical Description
Slender body with a dark brown or olive background, featuring visible longitudinal light stripes along the back and sides, a distinct head shape, and keeled scales.
Size & Dimensions
Estimated specimen length is around 45 to 60 cm; typical adults range from 46 to 137 cm in total length.
Habitat
Found in a wide variety of habitats including meadows, marshes, woodlands, and along the edges of streams and ponds, often near water.
Diet & Feeding
Diet consists of amphibians, earthworms, small fish, and occasionally other small vertebrates, hunted via active foraging.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young), producing litters typically ranging from 10 to 40 offspring in the late summer.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern, with widespread populations facing local pressures from habitat loss and road mortality.
Cultural Significance
Frequently encountered in suburban areas, serving as an important ecological predator for garden pests and amphibians.
Notable Features
Known for high adaptability, resilience in varied environments, and the ability to thrive in close proximity to human development.