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What is the Most Common Snake in the US - and Perhaps the World?
by John M. Regan
Ask someone, even the most snake averse, to name a type of serpent and they will easily spout off cobras, rattlesnakes, pythons, and anacondas. Made famous and notorious through legend and television documentaries 'the big four" of the snake world are well known throughout the world. But the world of the serpent is far larger than this tiny list. According to the 2003 edition of the "Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians" edited by Dr. Harold G. Cogger and Dr. Richard G. Zweifel there are 2,700 known species of snakes in the world. The recently released Reptile Database of August 2011, however, now lists 3,346 species. At least 50 of which reside in North America. But out of all these thousands of legless reptiles one genus has sprouted a truly amazing number of species and sub species - our very own North American Garter Snake.
From north to south and coast to coast the humble Garter Snake of the genus Thamnophis is the scales down North American champion and perhaps in the entire world as well. Pederson's Field Guide for Western Reptiles and Amphibians lists nineteen different species and subspecies of garter snakes under the Thamnophis genus just in the western part of the US, and thirty different kinds in North America. The snake ranges further north than any species in North America from mountain elevations to desert climes. It is the only reptile known to make Alaska home and its range stretches all the way into Mexico as well.
Most garter snakes are fairly easy to distinguish with noticeable reddish or bluish hues or checkered patterns. As might be expected in a snake with so many variations, however, exact identification of a species is sometimes difficult. What I have identified as a Mountain Garter Snake on this site corresponds most closely with the physical features and colors found in recently published field guides. Yet range descriptions could persuade an observer to conclude that the snake is the Puget Sound Garter Snake. (If some sharp eyed serpentine enthusiast out there proves me wrong I'll gladly make the change and give credit where it's due.) The point is that there are a lot of these guys out there and not all are easy to tell apart; accurate identification often depends on a close examination of scales and scale patterns. So standy boy for serpentine news. The taxonomic purists of the world are constantly refining this list - and they take their work seriously.
Most of the garter snakes I have seen here in the Northwest rarely exceed eighteen inches; most are considerably smaller. In the Northeast I regularly collected three specimens over three feet long and the Giant Garter Snake is reported to attain an impressive length that exceeds five feet.
These guys generally settle down and make reasonably good pets despite the fact that most are fairly high strung when first captured. But be prepared for one unpleasant characteristic of garter snakes. When first caught they inevitably void a foul smelling excrement. Go catch one. You'll see what I mean. And did you ever wonder how this reptile got the name of "Garter" snake? It's because way back when it was thought that the distinctive striped pattern resembled a lady's garter. Mmmm...Well, I suppose it does.
So the next time you're enjoying a stroll or playing a game in the country anyplace from Anchorage to Juarez and spot a dark colored distinctly striped snake, stop and think for a moment. You might very well be looking at one of the most successful animals in the world.
HOOAH
Jack
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Birds Mammals Reptiles Amphibians Fish Invertebrates
Mission Editor Bio Site Map Contact Wildlife Park Links Further Study Employment Northwest Trek HOME
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