Reptile
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalisAlso known as Garden Snake, Striped Snake
Common garter snakes emerge from subterranean hibernacula every spring, forming dense mating groups near winter den sites. Their yellow or greenish longitudinal stripes provide effective camouflage in dense vegetation as they hunt earthworms and amphibians during the day. Highly adaptable, these snakes thrive across a vast range of North American landscapes, from suburban lawns to wild mountain meadows.
ReptileStripedDiurnal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyEarthworm, American Toad, Green Frog
Predators
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Great Blue Heron
- Raccoon
ThreatsHabitat loss, vehicle mortality, domestic pets
HabitatsFields, forests, wetlands, suburban gardens
Life span2–10 years
Classification
- FamilyColubridae
- GenusThamnophis
- SpeciesThamnophis sirtalis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Harmless to humans, though cornered individuals may bite or release a foul-smelling musk.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Watch quietly from a short distance while they bask in sunlit patches along trails or gardens.
- Handling: Avoid picking up wild individuals, as cornered snakes quickly release a foul musk and may bite.
- Garden Benefits: Maintain brush piles and native ground cover to encourage natural pest control.
Prey Cephas / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Subspecies (c) evangrimes, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by evangrimes · cc-by
Predator Buteo_jamaicensis_1.jpg: Alan Vernon derivative work: Berichard (talk) / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Close Relative MH Herpetology / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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