Common Garter Snake
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Reptilia
COMMON

Stats

Lifespan
2-10 yrs
Size
Small
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Social
Solitary
Biome
Freshwater wetland
Range
North America
Movement
Slithering
Breeding
Live Birth
Defense
Camouflage
Status
Common

About

The Common Garter Snake is North America's most widespread reptile, found from coast to coast and as far north as the Arctic Circle. Unlike most snakes it gives birth to live young, sometimes producing litters of over 80 offspring at once.

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 sirtalis