Northwestern Garter Snake
Thamnophis ordinoides
A small, colorful, and highly variable garter snake common in gardens and forests of the Pacific Northwest.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 0.4-0.65 m (1.3-2.1 ft)
- Range
- Pacific Northwest, from British Columbia to northern California
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Overview
The northwestern garter snake is a small, terrestrial species notable for its remarkable color and pattern variability, even among individuals in the same local population.
Unlike many garter snakes, it is less dependent on water and often found in forests, meadows, and even suburban gardens.
How to identify it
- Extremely variable coloration: stripes may be red, orange, yellow, blue, or absent entirely
- Background color ranges from black to brown or gray
- Small head barely wider than the neck
- Keeled scales
- Smaller and more slender than many other garter snake species
- Distinguished by its small size and lack of dependence on water
Habitat & range
Common in forests, forest edges, meadows, and gardens throughout the Pacific Northwest from southwestern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon into northern California, often well away from permanent water.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Diurnal and terrestrial, feeding mainly on slugs, earthworms, and small amphibians rather than fish. Active in gardens and disturbed areas. Females give birth to live young in late summer, with litter size and coloration varying widely between populations.
Frequently asked questions
Why is this species' color so variable?
Populations of the northwestern garter snake have evolved a wide range of stripe colors and patterns, even within the same area.
Is it dangerous?
No, it is harmless to people and only mildly venomous to small prey like slugs and worms.
Does it need to live near water?
Less than most garter snakes; it is commonly found in forests and gardens away from permanent water sources.
What does it eat?
It feeds heavily on slugs and earthworms, along with small amphibians.
Northwestern Garter Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Northwestern Garter Snake.
