The 4 Types of Garter Snakes in Washington! (state)

Almost everyone can identify a “garter snake” in Washington!

But here’s the problem:

There are multiple species and sub-species of garter snakes! Therefore, figuring out the identity of the SPECIFIC snake you are observing can be challenging. This is especially true since many of them have similar appearances and behaviors.

Today, you are going to learn about 4 garter snake species in Washington!

• *Just a quick note – to be officially considered a garter snake, the species must be in the genus Thamnophis*

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#1. Terrestrial Garter Snake

• Thamnophis elegans

Identifying Characteristics:

• Adults range from 18 to 41 inches in length.
• Most adults have three yellow, light orange, or white stripes; one down their back and two down their sides.
• Coloration is widely variable. Individuals may be brownish or greenish. Some have red and black spots between the stripes, and occasionally all black individuals are found.

 

This garter snake can be difficult to identify in Washington!

 

Even trained herpetologists have issues! Its coloration varies widely, and there are believed to be 6 subspecies, although scientists still debate this.

 

Terrestrial Garter Snakes occupy various habitats, including both grasslands and forests. They can even be found in mountainous areas up to 13,000 feet above sea level. As the name suggests, they’re primarily found on land. But interestingly, these garter snakes can swim well!

 

This species is the only garter snake in Washington with a tendency to constrict prey! Most garter snakes grab their prey quickly and just swallow, rubbing their prey against the ground if necessary.

 

Terrestrial Garter Snakes aren’t aggressive or dangerous, but they do possess mildly venomous saliva! It can cause a muscle infection or even kill some muscle tissue. Most bites on humans just cause pain and some swelling.

 

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#2. Valley Garter Snake

• Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi

Identifying Characteristics

• Adults range from 18 to 55 inches in length.
• Coloration is brown to black with three yellow stripes; one down the back and one down each side.
• Pronounced red bars between the yellow stripes. Yellowish chin, jaw, and belly, and a black head, which often has red sides.
• Subspecies of the Common Garter Snake.

 

Valley Garter Snakes are found in various habitats, including forests, wetlands, scrublands, fields, shorelines, and rocky areas. They’re also well adapted to humans and are often found in urban areas.

 

Look for these garter snakes in Washington under rocks, logs, and other objects, which they use for cover and thermoregulation. During the winter, they hibernate, often communally below the frost line. They will use a variety of underground cavities, including mammal and crayfish burrows, rock crevices, ant mounds, as well as manmade spaces such as foundations and cisterns.

 

When disturbed, Valley Garter Snakes will try to escape into the water and are excellent swimmers. If captured, be prepared for them to release musk and feces onto your hands! They may also strike, but only if they feel extremely threatened.

 

The Valley Garter Snake is considered a species of low risk. They are quite common and adapt well to human-modified habitats. However, they are frequently killed on roadways and are sometimes killed out of fear.

 

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#3. Puget Sound Garter Snake

• Thamnophis sirtalis pickeringii

Identifying Characteristics:

• Adults range from 28 to 40 inches in length.
• Coloration is dark grey or black.
• Look for three yellow or bluish stripes; a narrow one down the back and one down each side.

 

This beautiful garter snake is a subspecies of the Common Garter Snake and can be found in various habitats in northwest Washington. Look for them in forests, wetlands, shorelines, scrublands, fields, rocky areas, and urban areas. They’re typically spotted by rocks and logs, which they shelter under for thermoregulation.

 

As the name suggests, the Puget Sound Garter snake has a limited range. It is only found on Vancouver Island and the surrounding mainland coast in Canada and northwest Washington.

These garter snakes hibernate during the winter, often with other snakes of the same species. They’ll use a variety of underground cavities as long as they’re below the frost line. These include mammal and crayfish burrows, ant mounds, rock crevices, foundations, cisterns, and other human structures.

 

Puget Sound Garter Snakes hunts a wide variety of prey, primarily during the day. They’ll feed on frogs, toads, salamanders, earthworms, slugs, and small fish.

 

Luckily, this species adapts well to human activity, and they aren’t a high-risk species. Inside their small range, they are typically the most commonly seen snake. However, they are frequently hit on roads in urban areas, face habitat loss, and are sometimes killed out of fear.

 

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#4. Northwestern Garter Snake

• Thamnophis ordinoides

Identifying Characteristics:

• Adults average between 12 and 24 inches in length.
• COLORATION IS HIGHLY VARIABLE. Individuals can be blackish, olive, brownish, bluish, or gray, sometimes with a reddish tint.
• Typically has three stripes, one down the back and one down each side. The color of these stripes can be red, yellow, orange, tan, white, greenish, or blue; however, on certain snakes, the stripes may be dull, narrow, or absent!

 

The Northwestern Garter Snake prefers damp areas in western Washington with lots of vegetation and open sunny areas. They may be spotted near houses and are often found when moving boards, logs, or other objects that they use for cover.

This species is predominantly terrestrial. However, these garter snakes can swim, and some local individuals have been observed hunting in the water! They feed mainly on slugs and earthworms, but they also prey on snails, small amphibians, and possibly fish.

 

The Northwestern Garter Snake will typically flee into dense vegetation if disturbed. One study found that individuals with stripes usually move away quickly because their stripes make it difficult for predators to determine their speed. But plain or spotted individuals frequently freeze while fleeing because their excellent camouflage helps them blend in while they’re motionless.

 

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Do you need additional help identifying garter snakes?

Try this field guide!

• Peterson Field Guides to Reptiles and Amphibians

 

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Which of these garter snakes have you seen in Washington?

 

Leave a comment below!

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