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Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Habitat:

Usually found in forests, fields, and prairies to streams, wetlands, meadows, marshes, and ponds, and it is often found near water.

Notes:

Found this little guy in the backyard under my Cottonwood tree hiding in the fallen leaves. He seemed angry when I carefully picked him up and put him on the patio. I took a pic with the cell phone to send to my husband asking if it was harmless or not. According to the neighbor, it is a grass snake. I would just love some more accurate help in identifying what this little guy is exactly.

1 Species ID Suggestions

Lined Snake
Tropidoclonion lineatum ILherps.com


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6 Comments

Aaron_G
Aaron_G 12 years ago

ulvalactuca77 is absolutely correct - it's a lined snake. I used to live off 42nd and Riverside Drive in Tulsa and had these in my yard. I was thrilled to learn of their existence there after I had purchased the house. :-)

KarenL
KarenL 12 years ago

Very nice!

windmustache
windmustache 12 years ago

Wow! Amazing..!!

ulvalactuca77
ulvalactuca77 12 years ago

Nice spotting!

ulvalactuca77
ulvalactuca77 12 years ago

Peterson Field Guide p.323 PL.24 -"It's "bottoms up" for checking this snake. The double row of bold black half moons down the belly plus single anal plate should clinch identification."

I don't know about the anal plate but looks like the likely suspect.

Ava T-B
Ava T-B 12 years ago

I'm glad I looked at all the pictures to see that you picked him up with the rake! I was thinking you were a mad risk-taker! :D

ReannaDee
Spotted by
ReannaDee

Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

Spotted on Nov 19, 2011
Submitted on Nov 19, 2011

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