Publisher's Synopsis
Thamnophis, the genus that includes garter snakes, is home to a variety of harmless, small to medium-sized snakes. You can regularly see them all over North and Central America. Their striped appearance, which can resemble the garter used to keep stockings up, is where the name "garter snake" comes from.
- The distinctive coloring of garter snakes is characterized by stripes or patterns that run longitudinally along their bodies. The colors and patterns of these stripes are endlessly variable, but green, brown, black, and yellow are frequently used. The garter snake is a highly adaptable species that can be found in a wide range of environments.
- Humans should feel safe around these snakes. Prey items as diverse as insects, slugs, earthworms, and amphibians make up the bulk of their diet. Ovoviviparous means that garter snakes birth their young alive instead of laying eggs. They are common in outdoor spaces because of their usefulness in reducing pest populations in gardens and yards.
The local ecosystem benefits greatly from the presence of garter snakes, as they help maintain a healthy balance between predators and prey and provide sustenance for a number of different bird species and other, larger snake species. Due to their tame nature and low maintenance requirements, reptile enthusiasts often keep them as pets.
