Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all,

We discovered a little grass/garter snake living under my front stoop. When I first saw it, I went to pick it up, and we inadvertedly interrupted its supper (we couldn't see its head when we first saw it... just the remaining 12 inches or so, lol). Anyway, the little guy is bad ass... he was quite aggressive for a small snake (tho prolly cause he was eating), and actually lunged (the spelling of that word looks very wrong to me) at me a couple times while I was taking his pic. However, I am fearless, and continued look at him. Anyway. Can you help me find out exactly what kind of snake he is?

Catherine

If you live in the eastern US, that's an eastern garter snake (thamnophis s. sirtalis) - sometimes they don't have a stripe down the back. I don't know the western species and subspecies as well.

Those are funny pictures. It was probably out eating earthworms crawling around in the wet grass, got the leaf partly swallowed in the process, and is trying to spit it back up.

Billy
Phillyherping

I meant to say where I live. I am in Eastern Canada... in Nova Scotia.

We thought they were pretty funny, too... He was trying to be all menacing and agressive and stuff, and meanwhile he had a piece of salad sticking out of his mouth. Silly little guy.

Anyway, thanks If anyone else has any ideas, or if I am too far north for that type of snake to live here, please let me know!

where do you live in nova scotia. I camped there for 3 weeks a few years back. We had a great time and met a ton of really nice people. Even got to attend a local festival that was quite interesting. Funny pics by the way.

ep
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Occupants not paying rent:
1.1. balls
1.1 corns
1 everglades rat
1 w. hognose
1 bearded dragon
2.1 cats

In that area, it would be a Maritime garter snakes, thamnophis sirtalis pallidulus. Very pretty little snake!!!!!! I used to have a pair, nice snakes!! I would love to get some more!

That's the amswer to a lot of rodent lovers' problems. A vegetarian snake!!!

and I'm sure this was just a case of scent transfer... one of my garters struck at and quickly consumed a whole pothos leaf after she had finished her mouse. I thought for SURE she would spit it up but no! I guess in the wild these guys inadvertently eat all sorts of things.
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"Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only to what we know of it."