The state of Pennsylvania is a unique location and you are going to find some of the exceptional garter snakes that are unique in this state. The garter snakes are the most common species that you will find in the area.
These snakes have over thirty species in the whole country. Here are just some of the most prevalent garter snake species you will find in Pennsylvania.
Table of Contents
Eastern garter snake
The eastern garter snake is one the most common garter snakes that you are going to find in Pennsylvania. These snakes are a subspecies of the common garter snakes and they usually thrive in different climatic environments and regions along the state.
Some of the habitats that you are likely to find them include the prairies, deserts, coasts, grasslands and the forested areas. The eastern garter snakes usually thrive in the meadows and the grasslands of Penn State.
These snakes usually grow up to 26 inches long and others can grow up to 40 inches long therefore you are going to find some of the lengthy serpents. They are very adaptable snakes and it is imperative that you watch out for these species because they are found in different areas such as trash piles, old buildings, and farmlands.
Their diet is composed of slugs, worms, frogs, and toads. They are opportunistic in nature and will consume anything that they come into their sight. They are a nonvenomous species.
DeKay’s Brown Snake
The DeKay’s brown snake is another popular species that you are going to find in Pennsylvania and it is important that you take your time to explore the different parts of the state because you are likely to interact with them.
They are known to grow up to 13 inches long and they have black spots on either side. They are nocturnal creatures and you should watch out for them if you are going to explore parts of the state in the evening or at night.
They consume a wide array of species ranging from slugs, toads, frogs, and other species. These snakes are often found in places such as wetlands, grasslands, and forests, and they are very adaptive in nature.
These snake species are nonvenomous.
Northern ribbon snake
This is yet another one of the popular garter snakes that you can find in Pennsylvania. During your travels, you are likely to interact with them in areas ranging from the forests, the meadows, the trash piles, and around the shores of the water bodies in the state.
They are a subspecies of the ribbon snake and they live in the northwestern region of Pennsylvania. The population of these snakes relies heavily on the Great Lakes and they are limited to the areas around the water bodies. They have a stripe running on the left, right side, and the spine, and they are known to have a whitish belly.
They are known to grow up to 26 inches long and their diet is varying from salamanders, small fish, and frogs. While they are nonvenomous, they are likely to attack and deliver dangerous bacteria to your body.
Shorthead Garter Snake
The shorthead garter snakes are some of the legendary creatures that you are going to find in the state of Pennsylvania. These snakes are far more common in the northeastern part of the United States.
These snakes usually spend most of their time under leaf litter, in open fields, and meadows around the agricultural fields in the regions. They usually bask when it is cloudy and they are often diurnal creatures therefore you will find that they are active at night as well as during the day.
You must take your time to explore some of the unique locations where you are going to find these snakes. They usually consume earthworms. Shorthead garter snakes are nonvenomous and they are less likely to cause any bodily harm to you.
They can grow from 10 to 22 inches long and they come in different colors such as olive green, and they have three yellow stripes that run from the head to the tail.
Ribbon snake
The ribbon snake is another popular species that you are going to find in the state of Pennsylvania. These snakes are far more common in the eastern United States.
They come in different colors. These snakes are nonvenomous hence you should not be worried about them because they pose a little health risk. They have unique stripes on their bodies and this is a clear indication that you can differentiate them from the rest.
The ribbon snakes have three stripes that run from the head to the tail. The ribbon snakes of Pennsylvania usually engage in some form of hibernation that is referred to as brumation and it is similar to regular hibernation, however, they can wake up, drink water, and get back to their hibernation.
Water is one of the most important things for this snake species. The ribbon snake consumes a wide array of creatures such as fish, toads, and frogs.
Eastern ribbon snake
The eastern ribbon snake is another species that you are going to find in the state of Pennsylvania. This snake is iconic because of the colors and unique features that it presents.
They are known to thrive in the southeastern part of the United States and mainly within Pennsylvania. They are more present in the eastern half of the Penn State.
They consume salamanders, toads, small fish, and frogs. These snakes can grow up to 3 feet long and it can adjust to different colors depending on the environment that you are going to find them.
You can recognize them easily, because they have three stripes that run on their back and this move from head to tail.
Queen Snake
This is another species that is similar to the garter snake and you are likely to find them in the state during your visit. They are very unique species because their diet is primarily made up of crayfish.
They are semiaquatic species therefore you are going to find them along the river bodies around the state, especially in streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. You will find them both in the eastern and western parts of the state and these snakes are unique because they can grow up to 23 inches long and they have a brown body with dark stripes on their bellies.
Common garter snake
The common garter snake is one of other native snakes of Pennsylvania. It is a snake that is known to inhabit different parts of the state. The common garter snakes are known to come in different colors ranging from olive-green and brown and they also have three yellow or white stripes that run from their head to the tail.
These snakes are known to thrive in different habitats such as the forested areas, the meadows, and the riparian lands. These snakes can grow up to 4 feet long. Common garter snakes are very active during the day and especially during the warm winters.
They can swim around the ponds, rivers, and other water bodies. Therefore, you should watch out for them when traveling to the state. They consume a wide array of species and mostly mice and voles.
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