Garter Snake (Likely Common Garter Snake)
Thamnophis sirtalis • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Thamnophis, Species: T. sirtalis
North America, ranging from the Atlantic to the Pacific, extending from Canada down into Florida and Mexico.
Look up Garter Snake (Likely Common Garter Snake) in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Thamnophis, Species: T. sirtalis
Conservation
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, facing minimal overall threat though local populations are impacted by habitat loss and road mortality.
Physical Description
Dark body coloration with visible light longitudinal stripes running along the back and sides, typical of natricine snakes.
Size & Dimensions
Estimated specimen length is around 45 to 60 cm; typical adult size ranges from 46 to 130 cm depending on subspecies.
Habitat
Extremely adaptable, found in meadows, marshes, woodlands, and along the edges of water bodies, often near grassy areas or vegetation.
Diet & Feeding
Diet consists primarily of amphibians, earthworms, fish, and small rodents, utilizing an active foraging strategy.
Reproduction
Viviparous, giving birth to live young rather than laying eggs, with litters often containing anywhere from 10 to 40+ neonates.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, facing minimal overall threat though local populations are impacted by habitat loss and road mortality.
Cultural Significance
Commonly encountered in suburban and rural yards, playing an important role in controlling amphibian and invertebrate populations.
Notable Features
Demonstrates excellent adaptability to human-altered landscapes and possesses a characteristically high tolerance for cooler temperatures compared to many other snake species.