common name: garter snake
Latin name: Thamnophis

Garter snake is a common name given to small to medium sized snake that are harmless. They are present through most of North America. They are common in forests, woodlands, fields, grasslands and lawns. Garters i the most eastern areas are more aquatic. Garter snakes are carnivores, and will eat any animal that they can over power. They find mates by tracking the pheromone scent trails left behinds by them. However males can produce male and female scents, so sometimes trails lead to males causing confusion. Male Garters go into brumation where they don't eat for two weeks to clear their stomachs of any food that will rot while mating. Females go in dens while this is happening and as soon as they come out they mate. They do produce a mild neurotoxic venom that is in small proportions so it isn't deadly to humans.