General Information

There is little variation within the pattern of scales among the different varieties of garter snakes, but coloration varies widely across varieties and geographic regions. The pattern on these snakes consists of one or three longitudinal stripes on the back, typically red, yellow or white. The snake genus earned its common name because people described the stripes as resembling a garter. In between the stripes on the pattern are rows with blotchy spots. Even within a single species the color in the stripes and spots and background can differ. In some species the stripes vary little in color from the adjacent bands or background and are not readily seen. Most garter snakes are under 60 cm (24 inches) long, but can be larger. T. gigas is capable of attaining lengths of 160cm.

Garter snakes, like all snakes, are carnivorous. Their diet consists of almost any creature that they are capable of overpowering: slugs, earthworms, insects, leeches, lizards, amphibians, birds, fish, and rodents. When living near the water, they will eat other aquatic animals. The ribbon snake in particular favors frogs (including tadpoles), readily eating them despite their strong chemical defenses. Food is swallowed whole. Although they dine mostly upon live animals, they will sometimes eat eggs.

Garter snakes of all species are gregarious (when not in brumation or aestivation). 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 male garter snakes produce both male and female pheromones. During mating season, this fact fools other males into attempting to mate with these "pseudo-females". It is often these males, with the female pheromone genetic variation, that are among the first to mate. By expressing the male pheromone, they still attract females. But, the expression of the female pheromone leads to fruitless mating attempts by other males. Pet garter snakes, while never becoming "tame" in the strictest sense of the word, learn to associate their keepers with food and other positive experiences. When handled or brought out of their tank, they quickly calm down and become curious about their surroundings. 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 the 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 snake) will eat garter snakes, with even shrews and frogs eating the juveniles.

Being heterothermic, like all reptiles, garter snakes bask in the sun to keep their body temperature warm (at 28 to 32 degrees Celsius) during the morning. The temperature is lower during the evening. Garter snakes will often sleep together to maintain a warm body temperature at night. During hibernation, they will sleep in large, communal nests called hibernacula. These snakes will migrate large distances to brumate.

Other Information

Garter Snake Range Map, statewide scale