Barry Mansell photo.

Scientific name: Thamnophis sirtalis similis

Description: Average adult size is 20-26 inches (50.8-66 cm), record is 39.25 inches (99.6 cm). Adults are olive-brown to blue-black with a light blue mid-dorsal stripe. There is an additional light blue stripe on each side of the body occupying the 2nd and 3rd dorsal scale rows above the belly. Frequently there are light tannish fleckings on each side between the mid-dorsal and lateral stripes. The belly is uniform whitish-blue. The scales of the upper lip are outlined with black markings. The scales are keeled, and there are 19 dorsal scale rows at midbody. The pupil is round. Juveniles are similar to that of adults.

Bluestripe garter snake: Left to right: Top of the head (notice the large plate-like scales on the top of the head);
underside of the head (chin and throat).

Bluestripe garter snake: Left to right: Side of the head; front (face view) of the head.

Range: It occurs along the Florida Gulf coast from eastern Wakulla Co. in the panhandle south to Hernando Co. in the central peninsula. It is not found outside of Florida.

Habitat: Commonly found in pinelands, hardwood hammocks, cypress strands, prairies, and marshes.

Comments: . The bluestripe garter snake is terrestrial and active during the day. It is frequently found along the banks of canals and ditches, and around houses in residential areas. After heavy rains, it is sometimes found at night crossing roads in search of food.

It feeds on earthworms, small fishes, frogs, and salamanders.

It is live-bearing. See eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis).

Comparison with other species: The eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) has yellowish-tan stripes and lateral reddish-tan fleckings, along with a uniform whitish-green belly. The ribbon snakes (Thamnophis sauritus) are thinner-bodied, have their light colored lateral stripes occupying the 3rd and 4th dorsal scale rows above the belly, and lack black markings on the scales of the upper lip.

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