Eastern Garter Snake

Description: Thamnophis sirtalis is usually 18 – 26 in (45.7 – 66 cm) long, but occasionally reaches lengths up to 49 in (124 cm). Most individuals can be distinguished from other species by the presence of three yellow longitudinal stripes down a dark body. Some, however, exhibit a checkered body pattern with light stripes and a grayish or reddish body color. Specimens from southern Georgia and Florida are often bluish in background coloration. The belly of garter snakes is white or light yellow. Garter snakes are similar in appearance to ribbon snakes (Thamnophis sauritus) but ribbon snakes are generally more slender and garter snakes have vertical black lines on their lip scales. Additionally, in garter snakes the lateral yellow lines are on scales 2 and 3 whereas they are on scale rows 3 and 4 in ribbon snakes. On garter snakes they are on scales 2 and 3. Males generally have longer and thicker tails than females.