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Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Thamnophis elegans
Reptilia
COMMON

Stats

Lifespan
6-10 yrs
Size
Medium
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Social
Solitary
Biome
Temperate grassland
Range
North America
Movement
Slithering
Breeding
Live Birth
Defense
Camouflage
Status
Common

About

A widespread and highly variable snake of western North America, ranging from grasslands to mountain streams, with a pattern of three pale stripes running down a body that can be olive, brown, gray, or nearly black. Unlike most snakes, it gives birth to live young rather than laying eggs.

Life cycle

  1. 1.
    hatchling
    A miniature snake emerges from the egg or from its mother (live-bearers), already venomous or strong-coiled in some species.
  2. 2.
    juvenile
    A juvenile sheds its skin, grows quickly, and hunts smaller prey than the adults.
  3. 3.
    adult
    Fully grown at adult length and pattern.

Learn more

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Family
Colubridae
Genus
Thamnophis
Species
Thamnophis elegans