Standard English Name(s): common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), northwestern garter snake (T. ordinoides), western terrestrial garter snake (T. elegans)
Local English Name(s): (any) snake (excluding western rattlesnake, Crotalus viridis)
Scientific Name(s): Thamnophis elegans (Baird and Girard) (western garter snake), T. ordinoides (Baird and Girard) (northwestern garter snake), and T. sirtalis (Linnaeus) (common garter snake)
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Description, Habitat, Ecology, & Distribution:
     Garter snakes are relatively slender and long snakes (our species ranging from ca. 350-1,300 mm [14-51 in] in length at maturity, depending on species). They occur in a wide variety of habitats ranging from sea level to montane regions and have varied diets, feeding on a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Many of these snakes are aquatic or semiaquatic, although others are entirely terrestrial. Despite its common name, the western terrestrial garter snake is commonly associated with water. When handled, frequently these snakes discharge feces and a foul-smelling musk from their cloacal glands.
     The common garter snake (pictured), is usually dark brown to black with red blotches, bars, and/or stripes and yellow stripes along the length of the body. All of the aforementioned species occur within the Halkomelem territory but the common garter snake is the most widespread of the garter snakes within British Columbia, occurring throughout the southern two-thirds of the province. The western terrestrial garter snake is found primarily throughout the southern one-third of the province and the northwestern garter snake has the most limited distribution of our local garter snakes, being found primarily along the southern coast of the province.

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