# Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (*Thamnophis elegans*) The Western Terrestrial Garter Snake is a friendly snake that loves to slither through grass and bushes. They are often seen basking in the sun and are great at catching small bugs and frogs. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 20 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Western Terrestrial Garter Snake](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Coast_Garter_Snake.jpg&width=800) Photo: Steve Jurvetson from Menlo Park, USA, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coast_Garter_Snake.jpg) ## Appearance The Western Terrestrial Garter Snake has a slender body, often brown, grey, or olive, with a distinctive yellow or orange stripe down its back. It may also display two lighter side stripes and black spots between the stripes, giving it a checkered look. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Colubridae - **Genus:** Thamnophis ## Interesting facts - They can sometimes gather in huge groups, hundreds of snakes, to stay warm! - They give birth to live babies, not eggs, just like some mammals! - This snake has tiny, mild venom, but it is harmless to humans. - When scared, they sometimes 'play dead' to trick predators into leaving them alone. ## Special abilities - **Stinky Defense:** Western Terrestrial Garter Snake can release a foul-smelling musk from glands near its vent that helps them deter predators when feeling threatened. - **Swift Swimmer:** Western Terrestrial Garter Snake has a streamlined body and powerful tail that helps them quickly swim and hunt in aquatic environments. - **Mild Venom Delivery:** Western Terrestrial Garter Snake can deliver mild venom through grooved teeth that helps them subdue small prey before swallowing. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 46-100 cm - **Weight:** 0.05-0.3 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-10 years - **Speed:** 2 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 0.8 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-19 - **Maximum Depth:** 1 m ## Diet & Feeding This snake munches on a variety of small animals, especially amphibians and fish! - **Primary Foods:** frogs, salamanders, tadpoles, fish, earthworms, slugs - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Western Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-toad) (*Anaxyrus boreas*) — Juvenile toads are a common meal for garter snakes. - **Eats:** [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) — Young trout in shallow water are easy prey. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Hawks grab snakes from above as a regular food source. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Opportunistic raccoons will hunt for snakes near water. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a snake, it's best to watch from a distance and not touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Western Terrestrial Garter Snake? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Western Terrestrial Garter Snake? 46-100 cm ### How much does Western Terrestrial Garter Snake weigh? 0.05-0.3 kg ### How long does Western Terrestrial Garter Snake live? 6-10 years ### How fast can Western Terrestrial Garter Snake move? 2 km/h ### What does Western Terrestrial Garter Snake eat? This snake munches on a variety of small animals, especially amphibians and fish! ### How fast can Western Terrestrial Garter Snake swim? 0.8 km/h ### Where is Western Terrestrial Garter Snake usually found? Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Great Northern Railway Buildings](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/great-northern-railway-buildings) — Montana, US · Historic Site - [Jackson Lake Lodge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jackson-lake-lodge) — Wyoming, US · Historic Site - [Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mono-lake-tufa-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Sonoma Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sonoma-botanical-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Valhalla Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/valhalla-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [The Living Planet Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/the-living-planet-aquarium) — Utah, US · Zoo [View all places to see Western Terrestrial Garter Snake](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/western-terrestrial-garter-snake) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Western Terrestrial Garter Snake Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-terrestrial-garter-snake)