Eastern Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis

Venom Status:

Non Venomous

 

Characteristics:

Overall appearance is very variable. It may be solid black except for a white chin (common near Lake Erie), a speckled orange (Carolinas and elsewhere) black or tan, as well as other color combinations, with yellow striping, or black with overall speckled pattern. Black with 3 yellow stripes is the most common. Striping may also be blue. Belly, cream, yellow, or bluish. Ovoviviparous. Neonates are equally variable but similar to adults. Interstitial facial stripes present. Ovoviviparous. Garter snakes in the eastern USA are less apt to consume nestling mammals than those of the American West.

 

Unique Features:

Because it is so variable, it is fortunate that except for Florida’s northern Gulf Coast this is the only garter snake species in the southeast. But unfortunately, some eastern garter snakes do have blue stripes, so use your range map.

 

Habitat and Diet:

Ubiquitous except in all but the darkest woodlands but most common near water sources. This subspecies preys primarily on frogs, toads, worms and an occasional salamander.

 

Geographic Range:

FL, GA, SC, AL, NC, TN, KY, VA, WV, RI, NY, NH, VT, AR, CT, IL, IN, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, TX, MI, ID, MO, NJ, IA, OH, WI, PA, WA,