Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

The common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) is an important British Columbian reptile, and is the most widespread snake species in North America. British Columbia is home to three different subspecies: the Puget Sound Garter Snake (T. s. pickeringi), the Valley Garter Snake (T. s. fitchi), and the Red-sided Garter Snake (T. s. parietalis).

Characteristics

The three subspecies of the common garter snake present in British Columbia can be distinguished from one another by subtle differences in their colour and patterning, but all have a black/green body with a distinct head and three light stripes (white, yellow, greenish-yellow, blue, or brown) running down their back and sides…

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