I found a snake and I need help finding out what species it is.
Posted by Zach Peters on June 17, 2007
Q: The snake I found was in a place called Moutain Laurel, in a big bed of rocks. The snake is 15-20 in long, his under side is a tan color, and it did not make the smelly stuff when i picked it up so i don't think it is a Brown or Decays snake. Its head is about the same size as the rest of its body. It is a brown color with two alternating rows of darker brown blotches on each side of it. And then on the top there it a slightly lighter colored line running down its spine. And then one lighter line running down each side. The rock bed was about 75 yards from a pond. What kind of snake does that sound like?
State: Pennsylvania
A: Snakes can vary quite a bit but from your description, it sounds to me that you saw an Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis). I realize that this animal may not have looked like others you've seen but they do have 3 pattern variations that makes identification more difficult. Also, not all garters will excrete a bad-smelling substance on capture. Check out this snake online and see if you can confirm my ID. Thanks for asking.
John Wiessinger ( June 20, 2007)