Common Garter Snake
A very common snake that can be found along the lower Colorado Front Range.
About This Species
The common garter snake is mildly venomous, but its venom is considered non-dangerous to humans. They are immune to the poisons secreted by their prey.
More Information:
Physical Characteristics
Pale stripes on sides of body on second and third scale rows above outer edges of belly scales; belly pale and unmarked; red blotches between stripes on back (red may be confined to skin between scales); usually seven upper lip scales (lacking heavy black markings) on each side of head; upper scales keeled, in 19 rows at midbody; anal scale single; tongue red at base; maximum total length about 49 inches (124 cm), but usually much smaller in Colorado. The tail sometimes is incomplete due to breakage.
Range
Northeastern Colorado along the South Platte River and its tributaries at elevations below 6,000 feet and North Fork Republican River drainage in Yuma County at about 3,500–3,600 feet; widely distributed along the eastern base of the Front Range.
Habitat
Marshes, ponds, and the edges of streams; basically restricted to aquatic, wetland, and riparian habitats along the floodplains of streams; seldom found away from water or at isolated ponds. Active in shallow water and on land adjacent to water.
Diet
The diet includes frogs, toads, amphibian larvae, fishes, earthworms, and rodents, obtained on land or in the water.
Reproduction
Limited information indicates that females give birth to their young mainly in late July and August.