Garter Snake

Description:

The garter snake is a popular species. Common around North America ranging from the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Alaska, which lies west from the northern half of the Canadian province and British Columbia. It is the most widely distributed species of North America. The garter snake is also the Massachusetts state reptile.[2] With no real consensus on the classification of species of Thamnophis, disagreement among taxonomists and sources, such as field guides, over whether two types of snakes are separate species or subspecies of the same species is common. They are also closely related to the snakes of the species Nerodia, and some species have been moved back and forth between genera.

Habitat:

Garter snakes spread throughout North America. The common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) is the only species of snake to be found in Alaska, and is one of the northernmost species of snake in the world, possibly second only to the crossed viper, Vipera berus. The species is as far ranging due to its less discriminant diet and adaptability to different biomes and landforms, with varying proximity to water.

Notes:

I found the garden snake when I was looking for pictures and saw it in the tall grass next to a wetland.