Terrestrial Garter Snake

Other Names: Terrestrial Garter Snake, Wandering Garter Snake
Scientific Name: Thamnophis elegans
Family: Natricidae

Description & Size

• Legless
• No eyelids
• Lacks external ears
• Scales on the back have a ridge in the middle (keeled)
• Single anal scale
• Lightly colored stripe on each side of the snake that runs head to tail on the 2nd and 3rd scale rows above the belly scales (ventral scales)
• Total length: 45.7-109 cm (18.0-42.9 in)
• Back color: brown, gray, or bluish-green
• Belly color: usually black
• Light colored stripe extending from the head to the tail down the middle of the back that is interlaid with dark blotches

Life History

• Diurnal
• Active season: April – October
• Breeding season: April – June
• Gives live birth
• 4-27 young per female

Habitat

• Streams
• Ponds
• Wet meadows
• Arid climate

Diet

• Fish
• Amphibians
• Lizards
• Small mammals
• Hatchling birds
• Slugs
• Worms
• Leeches