Found a snake in school
Posted by Donna Witmer on October 10, 2005
Q: Our 3rd grade students provide you with the following description:
Brown with two black stripes
Black tongue about 3/4"
Black eyes
One foot long
As wide as a pinky finger
Curls up
Small head and mouth
Active, quick
Tan, slimy bottom
Habitat: suburban/yard
State: Ohio
Habitat: suburban/yard
A: What a nice description! Thanks so much. From what you've shared, I think you have an Eastern Garter Snake (Thanmnophis sirtalis). Garter snakes are not dangerous at all to people. These snakes eat only live food like insects, earthworms, frogs, salamanders, and even toads. Not all garter snakes look exactly alike but they do have the long stripes down their bodies and this helps with identification.
I would like to make one correction on your description. I'm guessing you didn't really touch the snake or you would have known that although you may THINK they are slimy, snakes are not! Their skin is usually cool and dry but definitely not slimy.
If you'd like more information on these beautiful and interesting snakes, you can google "garter snake" and you should be able to get lots and lots of information.
Thank you all for sharing this neat animal. I'll bet there are very, very few schools that get to have a snake visit.
My best to you all.
John Wiessinger ( October 10, 2005)