Garter Snake

Scientific Name: Thamnophis sirtalis

Nick Name: Garter snake, Garden snake, Ribbon snake

Size:

Type: Non Venomous Snake

Appearence:  White to creamish band on either side of its upper slender body

Nature: Garter snakes of all species are gregarious (when not in hibernation or aestivation). If disturbed, a garter snake may strike, and will often coil, but typically it will hide its head and flail its tail about. These snakes will also discharge a malodorous, musky-scented secretion from their anal gland. They often use these techniques to escape when ensnared by a predator. They will also slither into the water to escape a predator on land. Hawks, crows, raccoons, crayfish and other snake species (such as the coral snake and king snakes) will eat garter snakes, with even shrews and frogs eating the juveniles.

Distribution: Garter snakes are extremely common across North America, from Canada to Central America, an everyday find in gardens.

Habitat:  from marshes to hillsides to drainage ditches and even vacant lots, in both dry and wet regions, with varying proximity to water and rivers.

Feeds on:   Insects, slugs, snails, earthworms, leeches, rodents, lizards, amphibians, and baby birds. When near the water, they will eat fish. The ribbon snake in particular loves frogs (including tadpoles), readily eating them despite their strong chemical defenses. Food is swallowed whole. Although dining mostly upon live animals, they will sometimes eat eggs or even carrion as well.

Side Line:

• They are the single most widely distributed species of reptile in North America, and in fact, the common garter snake, T. sirtalis, is the only species of snake to be found in Alaska.

• Northern populations hibernate in larger groups than southern ones.

• They have complex systems of pheromonal communication. They can locate other snakes by following their pheromone-scented trails. Male and female skin pheromones are so different as to be immediately distinguishable. However, sometimes a male garter snake is born that has both male and female pheromones. During mating season, male snakes are often fooled into thinking these snakes are female by their pheromones, and will try to mate with them. These males with the female pheromone genetic variation are among the first to mate, attracting females while other males are still fooled into being attracted to them.