Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently found this snake at the foundation of my house in Hooksett, NH (Southern, NH) with a toad stuck in its mouth. It was probably about the diameter of a garden hose and two feet long, head to tail. Seems a little large to be a garter snake, was thinking it was a ring snake, but wasn't sure. Anyone got a better guess?

Your initial impression was correct. It's a harmless eastern garter snake. In the east they generally feed on fish, frogs, salamanders, earthworms & toads. That toad's not stuck, its an almost finished meal.

Ring necks are also in your area, but they have a "ring around the collar". The ring is yellow or orange and it's the only marking on the snakes back. The top of the body is bluish grey, & the belly is orange or yellow with tiny black spots.

Clearly an Eastern Gartersnake.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Yep, no doubt, a nice full Eastern Garter Snake..

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Absolutely a garter. They in fact can reach 4 feet in length, though this would more likely occur in the southern end of their range.
~~Greg~~