Eastern Garter Snake
(Thamnophis
sirtalis sirtalis) |
 |
DESCRIPTION: This is the only gartersnake
throughout most of its range with lateral stripes confined to
rows 2 and 3. There are normally 3 yellowish stripes, but they
may be brownish, greenish, or bluish. There is usually a double
row of alternating back spots between stripes. Occasionally,
specimens are virtually stripeless. The belly is greenish or
yellowish, with 2 rows of indistinct back spots partially hidden
under the overlapping portions of the ventrals. This species is
from 5-48 inches long. Juveniles are pattered as adults, but are
brown on the back and whitish on the belly, and usually exhibit
the checkerboard pattern of squarish black or dark brown and
green blotches. The dorsal pattern darkens with age. This snake
will mate on the first warm day after their emergence in spring.
The young are born alive in late July or early August. They have
7-10 young/litter, which are 5-9 inches long at birth.
STATUS: It is most abundant in mountains
RANGE: East Minnesota and Ontario to west.
and south Quebec and east to south New England; south to tip of
Florida, Louisiana, and southeast Texas.
HABITAT: Eastern gartersnakes
are terrestrial and can be found in many types of habitats.
These include hardwood and pine forests, lowland and upland
grasslands and balds, abandoned fields in various stages of
succession, along the margins of creeks, rivers, ponds, and
lakes, agricultural and urban areas, and freshwater marshes. It
is sometimes found in suburban gardens and around barns and
houses. Water is not a requirement, but moist areas are usually
present or nearby.
SPECIAL HABITAT:
FOOD: Frogs, toads, salamanders,
earthworms, minnows and mice |
