Do garter snakes change color?

17 years ago

I saw a good sized garter snake in my front garden on and off all spring. I think it was blackish with yellow/white stripes running along it's body. I'll be honest, I am a little nervous around snakes so I didn't get too close. I believe in keeping a respectful distance LOL!

Anyway, I hadn't seen it in a while and this morning I saw a snake that seemed several inches longer, but it was brown and tan with a sort of diamond pattern on it. Again, I did not get too close, but this one was definitely a med brown with lighter tan/cream markings and bigger - maybe 24 - 30 inches.

Is this the same snake with a different color in the summer or has something else moved into my garden? Could this one have eaten the little black and yellow one? Do I need to have it relocated/removed since I have small kids (toddler up to 8 yo) for their safety? I wouldn't be too concerned, but this one had crawled out of the garden and was sunning on my front steps. I think it took 10 years off my life just seeing it there LOL!

THanks for any help!

Alexa

Comments (6)

wayne_mo
17 years ago
Alexa,

Good question. Snakes can have a somewhat different appearance depending on how recently they have shed and can even vary slightly based on issues related to body temperature/surrounding area surface temperature. Both of your snakes sound like pattern variants of the Eastern Garter Snake. I think the most likely explanation, however, is that they are two separate individual snakes. Both sound like Eastern Garter Snakes so no worries.
caliloo
Original Author
17 years ago
Okay, then I will start breathing again LOL!

Would they share the same space in the garden peacefully? Maybe "garden" is too strong a word... it is more of a small planting bed (10 x 10 or so) next to my front steps. I guess I'm just surprised they can find enough food/water to support both of them in such a small place.

Thanks for the info you have already provided!

Alexa
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DaveOdd
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The second snake your seeing sound like it might be a Fox Snake or some other species of rat snake, and they specialize in eating rodents. So if taht is indeed what you saw, be glad he's there, because he's eating whatever rodents are around your house that attracted him. Rat Snakes are harmless to people but may coil in a defensive position if they feel threatened, but they can't really hurt you.
Stephanie Gibbs
4 years ago
I saw this in my yard. Looks like a garter snake but it changed colors when we got close to it. Any ideas?

Do garter snakes change color?

Comments (6)

wayne_mo

caliloo
Original Author

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Do garter snakes change color?

Comments (6)

wayne_mo

calilooOriginal Author

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chuckr30

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caliloo
Original Author