Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can anyone recommend a good field guide for snakes? Can't tell the difference between a garter and ribbon snake. TIA

I've found that

Peterson Field Guides, Reptiles and Amphibians, Eastern / Central North America (originally 1958 but updated countless times, Conant / Collins, 616 pages)

is a very good field guide but the best reference I've seen by far is

Lone Star Field Guide, Snakes of North America, Eastern and Central Regions, Revised Edition (2003, Tennant, 605 pages)

Both books are availible in a western version.

A ribbon snake is more slender then a garter with a larger eye and a higher lateral stripe (rows 3 and 4, most garters on 2 and 3). Depending on the species of ribbon they are generally patterned more vibrantly then a garter. In the field an agile slender and strongly patterned snake is most often a ribbon.

thanks.
used to catch them as a kid at the local metropark or in woodpiles. always assumed they were garters. had one about 3-4 feet long that would only eat toads.

I also would recommend the Peterson Field Guide (Conant/Collins); I believe it was last updated in 1998. I'm not familiar with the Lone Star guide. I'll have to check that one out.

Another possibility is to check with your state or local wildlife department. Many states have their own publications on native reptiles/amphibians.
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MichaelB

I'll give the Lone Star a try at Amazon - thanks. I'm from Ohio - I've heard our DNR has trouble identifying animals