Facts about Common Garter Snake

1. 07

   Garter snakes possess a specialized sensory organ called the vomeronasal organ that detects pheromones, allowing them to track potential mates from distances exceeding one mile.

   Common Garter SnakeMay 14sharesensorybiologyreproduction
2. 06

   Male common garter snakes gather by the hundreds around hibernating females in spring, engaging in competitive mating behaviors called mating balls.

   Common Garter SnakeMay 14sharebehaviorreproductionbiology
3. 05

   Common garter snakes can move at speeds up to 4 miles per hour when pursuing prey or escaping predators on land.

   Common Garter SnakeMay 14sharelocomotionbehaviormeasurement
4. 04

   Venom glands in common garter snakes allow them to subdue prey like small lizards and insects, making them among the few venomous North American snake species.

   Common Garter SnakeMay 14sharebiologyvenomprey
5. 03

   Three longitudinal stripes running the length of the common garter snake's body help distinguish it from the roughly 3,000 other snake species worldwide.

   Common Garter SnakeMay 14sharemorphologyidentificationbiology
6. 02

   Across North America, the common garter snake inhabits more diverse environments than any other native snake species, ranging from sea level to 8,000 feet elevation.

   Common Garter SnakeMay 14sharegeographyhabitatdistribution
7. 01

   Litters of common garter snakes typically contain between 4 and 80 live offspring, with females giving birth to fully formed young rather than laying eggs.

   Common Garter SnakeMay 14sharereproductionbiologymeasurement