Garter Snake Size Comparison: Just How Big Do They Get?

About 150 species of snakes live in the United States. The majority of these are non-venomous and mostly harmless. They play a vital role in controlling the population of rodents and other pests. Garter snakes (genus Thamnophis) are common in the United States and are our frequent companions while gardening or working outside. Garter snakes vary considerably, so how do they compare to other snakes, and how big do they get?

A Few Facts About Garter Snakes

• Most snakes lay eggs, but the common garter snake will give birth to 10-40 live snakes, which are immediately independent.
• Garter snakes are flexible and can twist into more defensive positions than other snakes.
• When they mate, garter snakes form into groups, or “mating balls,” made of more than a dozen males and one or more females.
• Though some snakes seem frightening, garter snakes are essential to pest control for gardens and urban areas.
• Garter snakes are relatively harmless, though their bites contain some venom to help subdue their prey. This venom is not strong enough to harm humans.

Types of Garter Snake

Garter snakes are distributed widely throughout North America, with about 35 species listed in the chart below.

Garter Snake Size: How Big Do They Get?

Snakes vary tremendously in size, from the green anaconda growing up to 30 feet in length to the Barbados threadsnake, measuring up to about 4.09 inches. Garter snakes run toward the smaller side, reaching 18 to 51 inches—somewhere between the length of a windshield wiper and one-and-a-half golf putters.

Garter Snake Size: Largest Garter Snake Ever Recorded

Though they range from 18 to 51 inches, most garter snakes will be between 22 and 30 inches. Occasionally, though, a garter snake will exceed this size.

In 2006, Jonathan Wiens, a master’s student at the University of Manitoba, discovered a red-sided garter snake with a length of 52.8 inches—the largest garter snake on record. He found the female while monitoring a den of snakes near Manitoba. The snake was over 12 years old, much older than the usually expected 4 to 5 years.

Places You’re Most Likely to Encounter a Garter Snake

Where you are most likely to encounter a garter snake has a little bit to do with distribution and a bit to do with the environment you find yourself in.

Garter Snake Range

As the most widely distributed snake in North America, garter snakes are present in all of the contiguous United States. The map below shows how many species are in each state.

Garter Snake Habitations

Much of the diet of garter snakes depends on the presence of amphibians. This explains their need to be close to water. Many of the species in the western parts of North America are more aquatic than otherwise. They can adapt to many habitats as long as water is nearby. Garter snakes live in forests, fields, grasslands, woodlands, and suburban lawns. You can sometimes see them near ponds with tall, grassy weeds. These are the places you are most likely to encounter a garter snake.

Conclusion

Garter snakes live throughout North America and provide excellent pest control. Their bites are relatively harmless to humans, and they try to flee rather than attack when threatened. Their size also contributes to their non-threatening appearance, with lengths ranging from 18 to 51 inches.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Eric Dale/Shutterstock.com