Fauna Flora Photography

Common Garter Snake Thamnophis sirtalis

The most common snake species around Montreal. About half to a meter long and not poisonous.

Specs

Length60-76cm
Weight57-170g

Common Names

GermanGewöhnliche Strumpfbandnatter
EnglishCommon Garter Snake
FrenchCouleuvre rayée
SpanishSerpiente de jarretera

Taxonomy

OrderSerpentes
FamilyColubridae
SpeciesThamnophis sirtalis

How to Identify

The variant here in around Montreal is dark grey to dark greenish with yellow stripes. As there are not many different snakes, not difficult to identify. In other words, if you see a snake in a park around Montreal, most probably it is a Common Garter Snake.

Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) - Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies - 2022-04-15
Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) - Parc Angrignon - 2016-04-17

Where and When to Spot

I usually see this snake species on visits to parks in early mid April during the first warmer days. With no vegetation yet, the snake is easy to spot. Also, they seem to be hungry and will be more active.

SpringSummerFallWinter
Parc Angrignon x - - -
Parc Michel-Chartrand x - - -
Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies x - - -

Where and when a species has been observed, identified, and recorded.

Last updated on 2024-03-14. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.