Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis · Colubridae
Also called: Garden Snake, Gardener Snake
The most widespread snake in North America and the classic 'garden snake.' Technically has a very mild saliva toxin but is harmless to humans.
What the Common Garter Snake looks like
How to identify it
- 1Three light yellow stripes running the length of a dark body
- 2Checkered pattern between the stripes
- 3Slender body and round pupils
- 4Often found in yards and gardens
Snakes it's confused with
Harmless; thinner with a longer tail and cleaner stripes.
Behavior & danger to humans
Harmless and beneficial; may release musk if handled but bites are trivial.
⚠️ Danger: Harmless to people. Excellent natural pest control for slugs and insects.
Related snakes
Mildly venomousEastern Hognose Snake
Heterodon platirhinos
A harmless toad-eater famous for its theatrics — it hisses, flattens its neck like a cobra, then flips over and plays dead. Rear-fanged with toxin that affects only amphibians.
Mildly venomousRing-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
A tiny, secretive snake with a bright neck ring and a vivid orange-yellow belly it curls to flash when threatened. Harmless to people despite mild rear-fanged saliva.
Mildly venomousWestern Hognose Snake
Heterodon nasicus
A small, stocky, theatrical snake and a wildly popular pet. It hisses, flattens its neck and plays dead — but is essentially harmless to humans.