{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "common-garter-snake",
  "name": "Common Garter Snake",
  "scientificName": "Thamnophis sirtalis",
  "category": "Reptile",
  "summary": "The common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) is North America's most familiar harmless snake, striped and often found in gardens, wetlands, and woodland edges from Canada across most of the United States. Adults average about 0.7 m, eat amphibians, fish, and worms, and are listed Least Concern — including famous Manitoba mating balls.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Reptilia",
    "order": "Squamata",
    "family": "Colubridae",
    "genus": "Thamnophis"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 0.15,
    "lengthM": 0.7,
    "topSpeedKmh": 5,
    "lifespanYears": 8
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Thamnophis sirtalis"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore (amphibians, fish, worms)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Gardens, wetlands, meadows, and woodland edges"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "Around 8 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity)."
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "About 0.15 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary)."
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Up to roughly 5 km/h when moving at speed."
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Most of the United States and southern Canada, excluding deserts of the Southwest.",
    "continents": [
      "North America"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/common-garter-snake/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/common-garter-snake/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}