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[title size=”2″]Eastern Garter Snake[/title]

The eastern garter snake is the most common snake in the Ozarks and is also found prevalently across the eastern United States. It is readily identified by the three yellow stripes that adorn its black body. This coloring, reminiscent of old-fashioned sock garters, is what gives the snake its common name: the garter snake. The color of these stripes can vary between blue, green, or brown, but they are usually evenly spaced on the snake’s body, one stripe covering the center of the back and the other two spaced on each side. The snake has ridged scales and a yellow or pale green underbody. Though they are found all over the Ozarks, the eastern garter snake prefers the edges of freshwater bodies, wetlands, forests, rocky areas, and even residential areas. Many of the trails in the Ozarks that run alongside a creek or stream may offer visitors a glimpse of these striking creatures. The eastern garter snake is not particularly harmful to humans though its saliva is thought to have a mild toxin that affects small animals and amphibians and may cause swelling or a rash in humans. The snakes breed in the spring months of March or April, and their young are born through live birth between July and October. Even though they give birth to live offspring, the parents provide no care to their 10 to 40 young who disperse shortly after birth and are able to care for themselves.

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Thamnophis sirtalis sitalis

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