Garter / Ribbon snake
Northwestern Garter Snake
HarmlessThamnophis ordinoides
6 photographs of the Northwestern Garter Snake. © Michele Wiseman.
The Northwestern Garter Snake (Thamnophis ordinoides) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 4 countries.
- Also called
- Garter / Ribbon snake
- Family
- Colubridae
- Size
- Slender, 1.5–3 ft.
- Habitat
- Almost anywhere with moisture — gardens, fields, wetlands, and streamsides.
- Behavior
- Harmless and active by day; may release musk if handled. The most commonly seen snakes across most of the U.S.
- Identify
- Slender body with three light stripes running the length of a darker back.
About the Northwestern Garter Snake
The northwestern garter snake (Thamnophis ordinoides) is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to North America.
Geographic range
In the United States, T. ordinoides is found in California, Oregon, and Washington; in Canada, it is found in British Columbia.
Description
The northwestern garter snake is small, with adults averaging around 13–38 in (33–97 cm) in total length (including tail). It is one of the most variable species of snakes in the world.
Habitat
The northwestern garter snake is most commonly found on the edge of meadows, surrounded by forest, as some sunshine is needed for its survival. It can also be found under stumps when it is too hot out.
Diet
T. ordinoides preys on slugs, salamanders, and frogs.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Northwestern Garter Snake
- Is the Northwestern Garter Snake venomous?
- No. The Northwestern Garter Snake (Thamnophis ordinoides) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Northwestern Garter Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Northwestern Garter Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Northwestern Garter Snake dangerous?
- The Northwestern Garter Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Northwestern Garter Snake live?
- The Northwestern Garter Snake has verified records in 4 countries, including United States of America, Canada, Mexico. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- How do I identify the Northwestern Garter Snake?
- Slender body with three light stripes running the length of a darker back.
- How big does the Northwestern Garter Snake get?
- Slender, 1.5–3 ft.
- What does the Northwestern Garter Snake eat?
- T. ordinoides preys on slugs, salamanders, and frogs.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Common Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis
Western Terrestrial Garter SnakeThamnophis elegans
Western Ribbon SnakeThamnophis proximus
Common Ribbon SnakeThamnophis saurita
Plains Garter SnakeThamnophis radix
Checkered Garter SnakeThamnophis marcianus
Black-necked Garter SnakeThamnophis cyrtopsis
Aquatic Garter SnakeThamnophis atratus
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Thamnophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Thamnophis ordinoides
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.