New York Garter Snake - Your Backyard Friend

15 Jun, 2025

If you have spent any time at all outside in New York, chances are you have come across a garter snake. These slender reptiles are, in a way, pretty common sights across the state, and they often pop up in places you might not expect, like your very own yard or maybe a nearby park. People often call them "garden snakes" or "gardener snakes," you know, because they often hang out where plants grow, and that name actually comes from how their stripes look a bit like the old-fashioned garters men used to wear to keep their socks up.

These creatures, which are more or less harmless to people, are pretty well-known for their distinct markings and, for some, their rather striking colors. They are a big part of the local wildlife scene here, and actually, they seem to do just fine living close to us humans. This makes them one of the most frequently encountered snakes you might see when you are out and about, or just perhaps enjoying a quiet moment on your porch.

So, if you have ever wondered about these interesting little animals, like what kinds live around here, or how you can tell them apart, you are in the right spot. We are going to take a closer look at these common New York residents, figuring out a bit more about what makes them tick, and where you might just spot one next. It's really quite fascinating, in fact, how much there is to know about these everyday slithery neighbors.

What Kinds of New York Garter Snake Live Here?
The Eastern Garter Snake - a common New York Garter Snake
The Ribbon Snake - another New York Garter Snake
How Can You Tell a New York Garter Snake From Others?
Looking at Stripes and Patterns on New York Garter Snake
Where Do New York Garter Snake Usually Hang Out?
Are New York Garter Snake Dangerous?
Keeping New York Garter Snake as Pets - is that a good idea?

What Kinds of New York Garter Snake Live Here?

When you think about the garter snakes that make New York their home, you might be surprised to learn there are actually a couple of main types you will likely encounter. For the most part, you are looking at two distinct species that are pretty widespread across the state. These two, in a way, represent the garter snake population here, and knowing a bit about each can really help you appreciate the natural world around you. So, let's just say, it's not a huge list, but each one is worth getting to know a little better.

Both of these common types of New York garter snake tend to be around a foot and a half to two feet long, which is, you know, a pretty manageable size for a snake. They also share a really noticeable feature: a bright yellow stripe that runs right down their backs. This makes them, in a sense, fairly easy to spot and tell apart from other kinds of snakes you might see slithering through the grass.

The Eastern Garter Snake - a common New York Garter Snake

The Eastern garter snake, often called the common garter snake, is probably the one you have seen the most, if you have seen any snakes at all in New York. It's, like, the most widespread and frequently encountered snake across the entire state, not just among garter snakes. You can find them almost anywhere, from your own backyard garden to open fields, the edges of ponds, and even swampy areas. This one, in a way, is the classic image of a snake for many people here.

Typically, the Eastern garter snake has three distinct stripes. You will usually see one stripe running right down the middle of its back, and then another stripe on each side of its body. These side stripes are usually found on the second and third rows of scales if you count up from the belly scales. The color of their body can vary quite a bit, from a kind of olive green to something darker, but that yellow strip is usually a dead giveaway. They also often have a checkered look between the stripes, which is, you know, a pretty cool detail.

Apparently, the Eastern garter snake is the most common species of garter snake in New York. This particular snake, which is scientifically known as Thamnophis sirtalis, really thrives in a lot of different places, making it a true survivor in various environments. It's quite interesting, in fact, how adaptable these creatures are to so many different kinds of places.

The Ribbon Snake - another New York Garter Snake

Then there is the ribbon snake, which is another type of New York garter snake you might come across, especially in the northern parts of the state. These snakes are, you know, quite slender and have a long, thin body, which is how they get their name – they look a bit like a ribbon. They are closely related to the Eastern garter snake, so they share some similar traits, but there are also ways to tell them apart.

Like their garter snake cousins, ribbon snakes are also usually around a foot and a half to two feet in length. They too have that prominent yellow stripe running down their back, which can sometimes make it a little tricky to tell them apart from the common garter snake at a quick glance. However, if you look closely, you might notice some subtle differences in their body shape and perhaps the way their stripes are positioned. They tend to be, in a way, even more streamlined.

The Eastern ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus) is a really interesting member of the garter snake family found here. It's pretty much a common sight in wet areas, like near ponds, marshes, and streams, which is, you know, where they like to hunt for their food. They are really good at moving through water and dense vegetation, which makes them quite suited to those kinds of environments.

How Can You Tell a New York Garter Snake From Others?

Telling apart the different kinds of snakes, especially the garter snakes, can be a fun challenge for anyone interested in wildlife. While they share some common traits, there are some pretty clear ways to identify a New York garter snake and figure out which specific type you are looking at. It really comes down to paying attention to the details, like their size, their overall appearance, and especially their stripes. So, you know, a little bit of observation goes a long way here.

For instance, both the Eastern garter snake and the ribbon snake, as we mentioned, are about a foot and a half to two feet long. This size is pretty typical for an adult garter snake in the area. However, if you see a snake that's much, much larger, like up to eight feet long, that's probably a black rat snake, which is a different species entirely. On the other hand, if it's tiny, it might be something like a redbelly snake. So, size is, you know, a good first clue.

When a garter snake feels a bit anxious or startled, they sometimes puff up their bodies with air. When they do this, you might notice a checkerboard pattern appear on their skin, especially between their stripes. This is actually a pretty neat defense mechanism and can be another way to confirm what you are seeing. It's just a little detail, but it can be quite helpful, apparently.

Looking at Stripes and Patterns on New York Garter Snake

The stripes are really the key feature when it comes to identifying a New York garter snake. As we talked about, they generally have three light-colored stripes running along their dark greenish or olive-colored bodies. One stripe goes down the middle of the back, and two others run along the sides. This pattern is, you know, pretty consistent, even though the exact shade of the body color can change quite a bit from one snake to another.

For the Eastern garter snake, those side stripes are usually found on the second and third rows of scales, counting up from the belly. This is a pretty specific detail that herpetologists – people who study reptiles – often look for. The ground color, meaning the main color of the snake's body, can vary quite a bit, from a kind of olive shade to something darker, even black in some cases. So, you know, don't be surprised if you see some variation.

The ribbon snake, while also having prominent stripes, tends to be a bit more slender overall, giving it that ribbon-like appearance. While both species have that main yellow stripe, the subtle differences in their body shape and how those stripes sit on their scales can help you tell them apart. It's almost like they have a slightly more refined look, in a way.

You might also hear people talk about a "shorthead garter snake" (Thamnophis brachystoma). This one is, apparently, much rarer in New York, mostly found in just a few spots in the far southwest part of the state, near Pennsylvania. It only grows to a smaller size, so if you see a tiny garter snake, it could potentially be this less common type, but it's not something you are likely to just stumble upon every day.

Where Do New York Garter Snake Usually Hang Out?

One of the coolest things about New York garter snake is how adaptable they are to all sorts of places. They are not, like, super picky about where they live, which is why you can find them in such a wide variety of settings. From thick woodlands to wide-open marshes and grassy fields, these snakes make themselves at home in pretty much any environment that offers them food and shelter. It's pretty amazing, actually, how well they fit into so many different kinds of spots.

You might spot them in your backyard, especially if you have a garden with some rocks or logs they can hide under. They are also pretty common near water sources like ponds, streams, and swamps, because, you know, that's where a lot of their food lives. They are pretty good at existing around human activity, which is why they are so frequently seen in suburban and even urban areas that have some green spaces. They just seem to make it work, more or less.

If you are out looking for them, a good tip is to gently move things like rocks, old logs, or other bits of debris in fields or meadows. These are favorite spots for garter snakes to hide, warm themselves in the sun, or hunt for small creatures. They are, in a way, pretty good at staying out of sight until you disturb their resting spot.

They are, apparently, the most common snakes found throughout New York State. This means that whether you are up in the Adirondacks or down in the Hudson Valley, or even in a city park in Albany, there is a good chance you could come across one. Their ability to use such a wide variety of habitats is a big reason why they are so widespread and, you know, so well-known.

Are New York Garter Snake Dangerous?

This is a question many people have when they see a snake, and it's a really important one. When it comes to the New York garter snake, you can rest easy: they are generally considered harmless to humans. While they do have tiny teeth and can bite if they feel threatened or are handled roughly, their bite is not considered medically significant. It's more like a little nip, and, you know, usually just startling.

In New York State, there are actually only three types of snakes that are considered venomous: the timber rattlesnake, the massasauga, and the northern copperhead. These three are, thankfully, quite uncommon and are very rarely found near people's homes. The northern copperhead is, in fact, the most common venomous snake in New York, mostly seen in the Hudson Valley, but also, apparently, in some parts of the Capital Region and the Adirondacks.

So, if you come across a snake in New York that's mostly dark with some lighter stripes, it's almost certainly a garter snake, and you really don't need to worry about it being venomous. It's always a good idea to give any wild animal its space, of course, but there's no need to panic if you see one of these common backyard visitors. They are, you know, just trying to live their lives.

Keeping New York Garter Snake as Pets - is that a good idea?

While garter snakes are pretty fascinating creatures, and some people might think about keeping them as pets, it's important to know the rules. Wildlife that is native to New York, including the garter snake species we have talked about, cannot be kept as pets in the state. This rule is in place to protect both the animals themselves and the natural ecosystems they are a part of. It's, you know, about keeping things balanced.

These snakes are not listed as endangered or threatened in New York State, which is great news. However, that doesn't mean it's okay to just pick them up and bring them home. Wild animals, even common ones, are much happier and healthier when they are allowed to live freely in their natural surroundings. They have specific needs that are hard to meet in a home environment, and, you know, it's just better for them to stay wild.

So, while it's fun to observe a New York garter snake in your garden or out in a field, the best thing to do is just appreciate them from a distance. Let them continue their important work in the ecosystem, like helping to keep insect and rodent populations in check. It's actually pretty cool to just watch them do their thing, in a way, without interfering.

In short, the New York garter snake is a common and mostly harmless resident of the state, with two main types, the Eastern garter snake and the ribbon snake, easily identified by their striped patterns and moderate size. They thrive in many habitats, including those near human activity, and are not considered dangerous. While interesting, they are wild animals and should be observed in their natural settings rather than kept as pets, respecting state regulations.

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