Kenneth L. Krysko photo.

Scientific name: Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis

Description: Average adult size is 20-28 inches (50.8-71.1 cm), record is 48.75 inches (123.8 cm). Adults are greenish with a light tan or gray mid-dorsal stripe. There is an additional light tannish stripe on each side of the body occupying the 2nd and 3rd dorsal scale rows above the belly. There are alternating rows of dark spots on each side between the mid-dorsal and lateral stripes. Light reddish-tan fleckings may also be present. The belly is uniform whitish-green. 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.

Eastern garter snake adult (left) and juvenile (right).
Paul Korhonen (left) and Kenneth L. Krysko (right) photos.

Adult eastern garter snake in the lawn.
Allen Harris photos.

Eastern 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).

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

Range: It occurs throughout Florida, excluding the keys and the Gulf coast from eastern Wakulla Co. in the panhandle south to Hernando Co. in the central peninsula. Outside of Florida, it is found throughout the eastern US from southern Texas north into Canada and east to the Atlantic Ocean.

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

Comments: . The eastern 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. From 6-60 offspring are born from May-July. Newborns are 5-9 inches (12.7-22.8 cm) in length. This species has lived up to 14 years in captivity.

Comparison with other species: The bluestripe garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis similis) has light blue stripes and tannish lateral fleckings, along with a uniform whitish-blue 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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