What is the life expectancy of a garter snake?

What is the life expectancy of a garter snake?

The life span of an average common garter snake can range from four to five years. However, they can live up to 10 years in captivity.

What is the difference between a garter snake and a garden snake?

There is no difference between a garter snake and a garden snake. Both names refer to the same species, the Thamnophis sirtalis, which is the most common non-venomous reptile in North America. While they vary in color, garter snakes are easily recognizable for 3 lines that run through their bodies.

What kind of skin does a garter snake have?

A close up picture would show the snake’s eight upper labial scales, typical of all Thamnophis elegans subspecies. Valley Garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi), one of a handful of T. sirtalis subspecies, shows a light cream or white color on the lower jaw, followed sometimes with a red spot on the neck.

What kind of snake has stripes down its body?

Like all garter snakes, they have stripes down the body. Unlike most garter snakes they have a very pronounced checkered pattern complimenting the stripes. It’s hard to misidentify them. Most of the sixteen garter snake species are recorded in Southwest and Western states.

How does a garter snake affect its prey?

The neurotoxin found in the venom of Garter snakes can cause paralysis in their prey. They use their quick reflexes and sharp teeth to help them catch their prey. Like most snakes, Garters swallow their food whole. Peak Garter snake mating season occurs congruently with the hibernation period.

How did the garter snake get its name?

In short, the snake in the grass raises people’s curiosity. Their propensity to inhabit residential areas explains the common name, garden snake. Whatever the common name, garter snake identification ofen starts by noting the thin and often colorfully striped body. Depending on the source, up to sixteen different species are recognized.