The common sight of a slender, striped snake often leads to a question: is it a garter snake or a garden snake? While “garden snake” is a common informal term, “garter snake” is the accurate and widely recognized name for this animal. Both terms refer to the same group of beneficial reptiles frequently found in gardens.
Garter Snake: The Correct Name
The term “garter snake” refers to snakes within the genus Thamnophis, found across North and Central America. The name “garter” comes from their distinctive striped patterns, which were thought to resemble the striped garters men once used to hold up their socks. The scientific name, Thamnophis sirtalis, reinforces this connection; Thamnophis means “bush snake” in Greek, and sirtalis refers to a garter in Latin. The informal term “garden snake” likely arose from the snake’s common presence in garden environments.
Identifying Garter Snakes
Garter snakes are small to medium-sized, typically measuring 22 to 54 inches (55-137 cm) in length. They have a slender body with keeled scales, meaning each scale has a raised ridge, giving them a slightly rough texture. Their heads are slightly wider than their necks, with large, round eyes and a bright red tongue tipped with black. Their most distinguishing characteristic is their color pattern. They usually have a dark background (black, brown, green, or gray) with three longitudinal stripes running down their body. These stripes commonly appear in shades of yellow, white, green, or blue, and sometimes red. While some individuals may display a checkered pattern or lack stripes entirely, their bellies are typically unmarked, appearing creamy to yellow or whitish-green.
Garter Snakes in Your Garden
Garter snakes adapt well to various environments, including gardens, lawns, woodlands, and fields. They are often found near water sources like ponds, streams, and wetlands, which provide habitat and food. As carnivores, their diet primarily consists of earthworms, slugs, frogs, salamanders, small fish, crickets, grasshoppers, and small rodents. This makes them natural pest controllers, beneficial for gardeners. Despite common misconceptions, garter snakes are generally harmless to humans and pets. They possess a mild neurotoxic venom, but lack an effective delivery system; a bite typically results in only minor irritation, comparable to a bee sting. When threatened, these snakes use several defensive behaviors. They may release a foul-smelling musk from glands near their tail, flatten their bodies to appear larger, or coil and strike without biting. If encountered, leave them undisturbed.