Description:

The Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) is a midsize terrestrial snake. It color pattern is very variable. It more formal pattern though is a dark body with a three striped lines. Some though will have a checkered like pattern on their back. The lines are usually a yellow, brown, or greenish appetence. Their color pattern though can vary greatly with range. Some will have a bluish color or greenish color, and on the other hand there are some that can be black or yellow. It really just depends on were you find them. I have seen some that are a reddish color. The average is from 2-3ft long and the longest recorded was just over 4ft long. The juveniles look identical to adults.

Habitat:

The Eastern Garter Snake is found in a variety of habitat that usually border water. Some habitats include around ponds, swamps, lakes, creeks, rivers, streams, drainage ditches, marshes, in rocky outcrops of the Mountains, and even in the everglades they are found. They can also be found in hardwood forest and pine forest but prefer more open grasses areas.

Prey:

The Eastern Garter Snake prey apron primarily on amphibians including salamanders, frogs, tadpoles, and toads and also fish. They will also feed on mice, small snakes, small birds, earthworms, and shrews.

Abundance and Behavior:

The Eastern Garter Snake is a very common snake all over the Eastern United States. They are found in all of Georgia. They can be found in many backyards especially ones that border creeks and ponds. They are known for their tolerance for cold weather. They are one of the snakes that can be found the earliest and latest times of the year. They are found in the dead of winter sunning themselves on rocks. They are primarily diurnal (comes out during day) but during the summer they can be found on roads at night. They can also be found on roads and crawling during and after rain storms especially places were have a great frog population like a road that borders a swamp, marsh, river, ect...