Short-headed Garter Snake

Thamnophis brachystoma

Venom Status:

Non Venomous

 

Characteristics:

This small (18-20 inches long) garter snake has an olive-brown to black ground color and 3 well developed yellow to orangish stripes. The dorsal stripe is wider than the laterals. The belly is yellowish centrally but brownish on both sides where the ventral scutes wrap upward to the lowest lateral scale row. The head is neither wider not deeper than the neck. Belly bluish. Scales keeled in 17 rows. Ovoviviparous. Juveniles similar to but darker than adults.

 

Unique Features:

This is a difficult species to differentiate from Butler’s garter snake but the ranges DO NOT overlap

 

Habitat and Diet:

Damp grasslands as well as the environs of water sources. The diet of this species consists primarily of earthworms

 

Geographic Range:

PA, NY