Range

North America is the native home of the common garter snake. They are one of the most widespread snakes on the continent and can be found in Mexico, the United States of America and Canda. Here they live in most areas except for the arid south western states of the USA. They are only found in small parts of Mexico.

Habitat

Common garter snakes can be found in aquatic, wetland and upland areas. Most of their habitats are near water courses such as ponds, lakes and streams.

When at rest they retreat to an underground burrow or under surface cover.

Reproduction

Mating takes place in spring at the conclusion of their hibernation period. Males emerge first and begin to seek out a female. Once she emerges the males give off pheromones to try and attract a female. Often males will outnumber the females by a large amount.

The female will select a mate and then copulation can take place. Males will mate with multiple partners in a breeding season.

Following a successful mating the female will return to her summer habitat and begin to feed. The young incubate inside the female for 2-3 months.

Females give birth to between 10 and 70 live young. The variability in litter size owes to the variability in size of the females with larger females producing larger litters.

Immediately after birth the young are independent and receive no further parental care and must provide for themselves. They may remain with the mother for a couple of days after birth though.

Males mature at 1.5 years old with females maturing slightly later at 2 years old. Their growth will continue throughout the life of the snake.

Behavior

Common garter snakes are active during the day. As a cold blooded animal they must generate their own heat from the environment which they do by basking in the sun.

From October to April they will undertake a hibernation where they gather in underground burrows or under rock piles and stumps where they rest through the coldest parts of the year. On mild days groups may emerge to bask.

During most of the year the common garter snake is solitary. In cold weather groups will gather to bask and this allows them to limit the loss of body heat. They will also hibernate together for the same purpose.

Predators and Threats

Common garter snakes face predation from birds of prey, mammals, other snakes, fish and turtles. The stripes down their body provide camouflage and help them to avoid predators.

When grabbed by predators the common garter snake excretes a foul substance to make them unappealing to that animal.

Humans pose no major threat to the common garter snake.

Quick facts

There are 13 recognized subspecies of the common garter snake which show slight variations in appearance.