Garter snakes are known to be small or of medium size and are considered harmless.A garter snake is from the genus Thamnophis. Garter snake (Thamnophis Sirtalis Sirtalis) is often found throughout the areas of North America and Central America.A garter snake is also known as a grass snake. There are approximately 30 species of non-venomous snakes in North America. These garter snakes are identified as having one to three horizontal stripes, usually yellow or red with a check pattern, on their body. Grass snakes are the ones without stripes. Some subspecies of garter snakes have variations in their locations but only slight differences in their scales. These garter snakes are very common in Canada and parts of Central America.Different species of garter snakes are available in a wide variety of sizes, as per their habitat range. Keep reading this article to know about a garter snake and the sizes of different members of the genus. Afterward, also check out related fact files on what do snake eggs look like and what eats snakes?How big is a full grown garter snake?It is very important to keep a note of your pet garter snake or if you have a garter snake visiting your garden. Garter snakes (thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) are non-venomous snakes. These predators are easily seen in the gardens. Garter snakes are predators of rabbits, etc., that might come in your garden frequently. The growth of garter snakes is important because it can usually tell a lot about their health, maturity, and age.Eastern garter snakes are usually known to develop and mature at a very young age, in comparison with other species of snakes. Most of the snake species grow mature at the age of three years or five years. But garter snakes are done maturing at the age of two years of age.The adult male garter snakes can grow to be 5 ft (1.5 m) in total length, whereas female garter snakes are 10 in (25.4 cm) larger in total length than males. The garter snakes are small in size compared to other species of snakes. This makes garter snakes very prone to predators. The garter snakes can be brown, green, red, yellow, and blue in color, but the stripe pattern is what makes them stand out.An ideal diet for a garter snake would include small insects and amphibians as prey like earthworms, fish, snails, fish, salamanders, and toads. In captivity, the garter snakes like to be fed with thawed frogs or earthworms. There are various other factors that may affect the growth of a garter snake. Genetics can define their size. But if you make garter snakes eat frequently, these snakes can grow to more than their set size. The garter snakes are known to eat red-colored salamanders. A fight between a salamander and a snake is studied and seen very diligently.How long are garter snakes?From Florida to British Columbia, and many other parts of North America, common garter snakes can be found. Common garter snakes are very common and spotted easily in New York and other parts of North America. Did you know that common garter snakes are not listed as endangered species in New York? Common garter snakes can tolerate adverse environmental conditions.The total length of a common garter snake ranges from 18-54 in (46-137 cm). Males have longer tails and are often smaller than females.Common garter snakes are very common and spotted easily. Common garter snakes can tolerate adverse environmental conditions. Common garter snakes can be present near water and in a broad variety of settings, such as meadows, ponds, forests, and hillsides. Common garter snakes love wet, grassy areas to live in and places where this is plenty of places to hide. The common garter snakes are prevalent in suburban and urban locations near water areas like the edges of lakes, canals, and streams.Baby Garter Snake SizeThe garter snake can develop faster than any other species of snake. A garter snake can complete maturity at one to two years of age.As soon as garter snakes emerge from hibernation in the spring, these snakes begin mating. The males first leave the den, while waiting for female garter snakes to release their pheromones by encircling the female garter snake. These pheromones are released to attract the female for mating. After the female garter snakes have been selected and mated with the selected male garter snake, the female garter snake returns to her summer habitats to eat and find a suitable birth site.A female garter snake gives birth to almost five to 70 young garter snakes in the form of eggs. The eggs, now young ones, may need to find food for themselves, as these reptiles are independent since birth. Garter snakes are born with a total length of roughly 6-8 in (15-20 cm). These snakes tend to grow really quickly. At a week, a young garter snake can be up to 7 in (17.5 cm) in total length. In a month, a young garter snake can grow up to 12 in (30 cm) in total length. In a year, a garter snake can grow up to 18 in (45 cm) in length. Garter snakes grow and mature in two years. The total length of a garter snake can be up to 30 in (76 cm). This may be affected in the wild and in captivity. Common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) eat a variety of animals, including amphibians, earthworms, fish, small birds, and rodents. Fast-paced species like fish and tadpoles are easily caught by common garter snakes. The garter snakes also search for salamanders near water areas.Sizes Of Different Species Of Garter SnakeCommon garter snakes can be found across much of North America. The common garter snake is widely distributed, extremely adaptable, and capable of surviving in extreme environments. Common garter snakes are frequently found around near water bodies, such as the edges of ponds, lakes, and rivers.On a black, brown, gray, or olive background, common garter snakes usually have three light stripes that span the length of its body. Yellow, blue, green, or brown stripes are clearly visible. The back of the common garter snake is divided into three stripes, one of which runs down the center of the body and the other two running alongside the body.The common garter snake is active during the day. The garter snakes are active in the morning and late afternoon during the summer. In the winter seasons, they are only active in the warm afternoons. There are approximately 13 different subspecies of the common garter snake or the garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis. Some of them are discussed below:Eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis): One of the most prevalent snakes in the eastern United States is the eastern garter snake. The eastern garter snakes usually have a tan, olive, brown, or black base hue. In eastern garter snakes, their stripes and spots are in cream, yellow, gold, or even blue color. At least one longitudinal stripe can be found on almost all eastern garter snakes. The average size of the eastern garter species is 18-26 in (45-65 cm).Red-sided garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis Infernalis): The garter Snakes come in a variety of colors and sizes. The red-sided garter snake is one of them. This subspecies can be found in the north across the midwest and into Canada. Red-sided garters can reach a length of 18-26 in (45-65 cm).California red-sided garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis): This snake has exceptionally prominent red patterns on its flank, as their common name suggests. With their stunning appearance, Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis will be difficult to miss if you have one in your yard. Females average 36-40 in (90-100 cm) in length, whereas males average 25-30 in (62.5-76 cm) in height and are significantly slimmer than females.San Francisco garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia): The most beautiful snake on the Earth is known as the San Francisco garter snake. Because of their stunning and unusual look, these reptiles stand out among all other garter snake species. San Francisco garter snakes can reach a total length of 18-55 in (45-137 cm) as adults.Chicago garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis semifasciatus): Chicago Garter Snakes can be found in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin throughout the Chicago area. Part of their range is shared with the eastern garter snake. The adult Chicago species can reach a length of 36 in (90 cm).Texas garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis annectens): The back and sides of most Texan snakes are striped longitudinally and have a dark olive or black base color. Adults measure 16-30 in (40-76 cm) in length.Valley garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi): The valley garter is found in the western United States and throughout southwestern Canada. This species of garter snake does not grow more than 24 in (60 cm) in length.Blue stripe garter snake (Thamnophis Sirtalis Similis): The common garter snake has multiple subspecies, including the bluestripe garter snake. The stripes on blue-striped garter snakes are blue and have a dark gray color combination. Their bodies have blue stripes running down the top and sides. This species does not grow very large and only reaches a length of 18-26 in (45-65 cm).The Size Of A Garter Snake Vs Other Snake SpeciesThis species is commonly found among gardens, ponds, woodlands, and marshes. As a result, many people refer to them as garden snakes. The garter snakes can be distinguished by their short, slender bodies and striking longitudinal stripe. The common garter snake normally grows up to 2 ft (60.9 cm) in length. But in some cases, the garter snake may grow up to 48 in (120 cm).Although most snakes are known to be small, mostly 1 meter in length. Some species of snakes can grow up to 23-30 ft (7-9 m), too. But it is very rare and there are no records of such species.The largest snake is considered to be a python. Going over 20 ft (6 m) in length, it is considered the longest snake in the world. It is considered the longest nonvenomous snake. The king cobra on the other hand is the longest venomous snake in the world, with up to 5 m (16.5 cm) in length.Conserving Garter SnakesEven though common garter snakes are easily found in the eastern parts of the United States and can adjust well in both urban and suburban areas, garter snakes can be affected by various activities performed by humans. Regardless of the fact that common garter snakes are harmless snakes a bite of the garter snake is not dangerous to humans, that may produce minor irritation, burning, and swelling, although humans frequently attack them.The usage of pesticides has resulted in a large reduction in the population of common garter snakes in several locations. The number of garter snakes in the wild has also decreased due to loss of habitats and over-collection for the commercial pet trade. Because so much of this species’ food is aquatic, water contamination has become an issue. Since common garter snakes perform hibernation in larger groups and reproduce fewer young common garter snakes each year, northern populations of garter snakes are much more endangered than southern populations.The decline in common species is important to study, as it is very important to conserve and protect these species. The decline of common garter snakes is important to study, as it can inform us a lot about our natural ecosystem.Did you know that the subspecies of common garter snake that is known as San Francisco garter snake Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia has been considered Endangered since the 1960’s in the US and California?Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for garter snake size then why not take a look at when do snakes hibernate, or garter snake facts?
Garter snakes are known to be small or of medium size and are considered harmless.
