GARTER SNAKES
(Thamnophis spp.)

These are the snakes that children often find in the garden. People call them garden snakes, because of where they are found. The label "garter"  possibly came about because the snakes, just like the colourful garters that were used to hold up men's socks, have ornate stripes along the body. The Indian name is "sinte wagleza." The size of these reptiles can range from 20 to 30 inches (50-75 cm), but some can be longer than this. They have a thin and agile body. Their colour can vary through shades of green, yellowish, or gray, but they almost invariably have three yellow or red stripes that pass along the length of their back and sides. When upset, they can flatten the body, whch makes this configuration more prominent.