General Information

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Garter snakes are the most common snake in many parts of the United States.  They're generally characterized by three stripes on their body, and can get to be between 47 and 137 cm long. They are extremely adaptable, and can survive under many environmental conditions such as marshes, woodlands, and meadows.

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Garter snakes are very important ecologically, because their diet of insects,  rayfish, amphibians, slugs, and much more helps to balance the population of certain pests. 

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They are most active during the day, and often bask in the sun on rocks or logs. During the Spring, as soon as the females leave hibernation they are courted by several males. Once they have mated the females leave to find a home for the summer where they may give birth to as many as 40 live offspring.