Common Gartersnake Thamnophis sirtalis

Non-venomous

Description: 22 - 32 inches. Common gartersnakes are black or brown, with a yellow colored stripe down the center of the back, as well as one down each side on the second and third row of scales. The stripes on the side may blend in with the color of the scales on the belly (ventral scales) making them hard to distinguish. The area between the stripes may be mostly black, or checkered with red or yellow blotches. Common gartersnakes in North Dakota tend to have red blotches. The belly is cream or gray with no pattern, and the upper lip may have thin black stripes on the edges of the scales. Some Common gartersnakes may have red coloring on the underside of the tail.

Similar Species: Plains Garter Snakes are similar in appearance, but the stripes on the side of the body are on the third and fourth row of scales, and are usually separate from color of the ventral scales allowing the general pattern of the snake to show below them.

Comments: Most often found near water in stream and river floodplains.

Distribution Map
Distribution of the Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis)

County level distribution of this species in North Dakota. Map generated from data collected from voucher specimens and photographic records.

Phenology of Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
Photographs