Garter and Ribbon Snakes

Garter Snakes as Pets

A garter snake is any species of North American snake within the genus Thamnophis. Because of the similarity in the sound of the words, combined with where people often see them, they are sometimes called garden snakes, gardner snakes or gardener snakes, or even garder snakes or guarder snakes. They are harmless to humans. Garter snakes are common across North America, from Canada to Central America, and they are the single most widely distributed genus of reptile in North America. In fact, the common garter snake, T. sirtalis, is the only species of snake to be found in Alaska, and is one of the northernmost species of snake in the world, possibly second only to the Crossed Viper, Vipera berus. The genus is so far ranging due to its unparticular diet and adaptability to different biomes and landforms, from marshes to hillsides to drainage ditches and even vacant lots, in both dry and wet regions, with varying proximity to water and rivers. However, in the western part of North America, these snakes are more water loving than in the eastern portion. Northern populations hibernate in larger groups than southern ones. Despite the decline in their population from collection as pets (especially in the more northerly regions in which large groups are collected at hibernation), pollution of aquatic areas, and introduction of bullfrogs and bass as predators, this is still a very commonly found snake. The San Francisco garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia, however, is an endangered subspecies and has been on the endangered list since 1967 and has a red and orange colored pattern on its back. Predation by crayfish has also been responsible for the decline of the narrow head garter snake, T. rufipunctatus.

There is no real consensus on the classificiation of species Thamnophis and disagreement among taxonomists and sources, such as field guides, over whether two types of snakes are separate species or subspecies of the same species is common. They are also closely related to the snakes of the genus Nerodia, and some species have been moved back and forth between genera.

Ribbon Snakes as Pets

The Ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus) is a common snake found throughout North America. It averages 16-35 inches in length and is a member of the garter snake genus. There are four sub-species of ribbon snake:

• Eastern Ribbon Snake - Thamnophis sauritus sauritus - brownish back, range extends from New York to Florida, west to the Mississippi River.
• Northern Ribbon Snake - Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis - dark brown or black above, range from Maine through Ontario and Indiana.
• Southern Ribbon Snake - Thamnophis sauritus sackeni - tan or brown, range from South Carolina south through Florida.
• Coastal Ribbon Snake - Thamnophis sauritus nitae - dark with light blue lateral stripes, Gulf coast of north-central Florida.