A small striped North American natricine snake found in nearly every habitat across the continent, harmless and often kept as a beginner pet.
Description
Garter snakes are slim brown, olive, or black snakes under 80 cm patterned with three pale yellow or greenish stripes — one along the spine and one along each flank. Local races vary widely in colour, with melanistic, blue, and red-sided forms in different regions.
Behavior
Active by day even in cool weather, garter snakes thermoregulate using brief basking sessions and forage for slippery prey like frogs, salamanders, and earthworms. Their saliva is mildly toxic to amphibians but harmless to humans, and they release a strong musk if handled.
Range
The genus Thamnophis spans North America from the tree line in Canada to Costa Rica, with about 35 species. Common garter snakes are likely the most encountered wild snake in much of the United States.
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