Garter Snake
ExploreReptiles
Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
The Garter Snake is a friendly little snake that can be found in many gardens! They are often striped and can be different colors.
Habitat: Gardens, fields, and forests
Appearance
The Garter Snake has a slender body, often featuring three light-colored stripes—yellow, white, blue, or green—running down its back and sides. These stripes contrast with a darker background of black, brown, or olive, sometimes with a checkerboard pattern between them.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderSerpentesFamilyColubridaeGenusThamnophis
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
173
Interesting facts
Garter snakes can be found further north than almost any other reptile in North America!
Many garter snakes hibernate together in a huge “snake pile” called a hibernaculum!
Some garter snakes can eat super poisonous newts and not get sick at all!
They often flash their tongues to “smell” their surroundings, like a built-in sniffer!
Special abilities
Ability
Striped Camouflage
Garter Snakes have stripes that help them blend perfectly into tall grass or rocky ground, hiding from predators.
Ability
Musky Defense
Garter Snakes can release a stinky, foul-smelling musk when scared, making predators want to leave them alone.
Ability
Live Birth
Garter Snakes give birth to tiny live snakelets, keeping their babies safe inside their body until they are ready to be born.
Ability
Venom Immunity
Some Garter Snakes have a special immunity to the potent toxins found in certain newts they eat!
Measurements & details
- Length
- 46-137 cm
- Weight
- 0.1-0.3 kg
- Lifespan
- 5-10 years
- Top Speed
- 5 km/h
- Swim Speed
- 1.5 km/h
Diet & Feeding
Garter snakes are keen hunters, feasting on small prey like earthworms, frogs, and sometimes fish!
Primary Foods
- Earthworms
- Slugs
- Frogs
- Toads
- Salamanders
- Small Fish
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
hunts
Northern Leopard Frog
Lithobates pipiens
A common meal, especially tadpoles and small frogs.
eats
Common Earthworm
Lumbricus terrestris
A primary and easily accessible food source for garter snakes.
eaten by
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
A common aerial predator that hunts snakes from above.
eaten by
Striped Skunk
Mephitis mephitis
Known to dig up and eat hibernating garter snakes.
eats
Rough-skinned Newt
Taricha granulosa
Some garter snake populations have evolved immunity to its toxins.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Striped
Marked with parallel bands or lines of color.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Also known as
Common Garter SnakeEastern Garter SnakeGarden SnakeGarter SnakesWestern Garter Snake
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Garter Snake?
46-137 cm
How much does Garter Snake weigh?
0.1-0.3 kg
How long does Garter Snake live?
5-10 years
How fast can Garter Snake move?
5 km/h
What does Garter Snake eat?
Garter snakes are keen hunters, feasting on small prey like earthworms, frogs, and sometimes fish!
How fast can Garter Snake swim?
1.5 km/h
Where is Garter Snake usually found?
Gardens, fields, and forests
How does Garter Snake hunt?
Foraging
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
Where to spot
Zoo30 sightings21 species
Louisiana, US
Alexandria Zoological Park
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Zoo30 sightings21 species
New York, US
Seneca Park Zoo
You might spot Mute Swan, Duck, and House Sparrow.
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Park169 sightings18 species
Quebec, CA
Parc Jean-Drapeau
You might spot Groundhog, Ring-Billed Gull, and Eastern Gray Squirrel.
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Park98 sightings16 species
Ohio, US
Brookside Reservation
You might spot American Robin, White-Tailed Deer, and Peregrine Falcon.
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Park115 sightings16 species
New Jersey, US
Verona Park
You might spot White-Tailed Deer, Canada Goose, and Red-Winged Blackbird.
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Park96 sightings16 species
Massachusetts, US
Veterans Field
You might spot House Sparrow, Garlic Mustard, and Duck.
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