Harmless · North Carolina
Eastern Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Striped snake found in many habitats, often near moisture.
At a glance
Size
Usually 18-36 inches.
North Carolina range
Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain
Habitat
lawns, wetlands, fields, woods
Diet
Earthworms, slugs, amphibians, fish, and small rodents.
Pattern
stripes
Venomous
No
How to identify it
Variable brown, black, or greenish snake with three light lengthwise stripes and often a checkered pattern between them.
Where to look in North Carolina
Common throughout North Carolina.
Lawns, fields, wetlands, woodland edges, and other moist habitats.
Regional maps show broad physiographic provinces, not county-level records.
Photo guide
Use the gallery to check pattern, body shape, and context—not just overall color.
