Size:
Adults 18 – 48 inches (46 – 122 cm)
Eats:
Frogs, toads, salamanders, earthworms, and sometimes small fish and mice
Breeding:
Mates in spring and gives birth to 5 – 75 babies in late June to August
Habitat:
Found in many habitats, but typically near a water source - damp woodlands, meadows, marshes, farms, and wooded parks
The garter snake is the most widely distributed snake across North America, and while its coloration is highly variable, the back and side stripes are very distinct and well defined. When first captured, the garter is often quick to bite and expel musk on its attacker, however, they quickly calm down after a few minutes of handling. This snake has a thick dorsal stripe that runs down the center of the back from head to tail. It can be yellow to reddish-orange. It has a thinner yellow stripe on either side of the main dorsal stripe, with a black checkered pattern between the stripes. This is how it got the name “garter.” It has keeled scales, the belly is plain, and the anal plate is single.
garter snakes
garter snakes
garter snakes
