Thamnophis sirtalis

The common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) is a species of natricine snake, which is indigenous to North America and found widely across the continent. Most common garter snakes have a pattern of yellow stripes on a black, brown or green background, and their average total length (including tail) is about 55 cm (22 in), with a maximum total length of about 137 cm (54 in). The average body mass is 150 g (5.3 oz). Common garter snakes are also the state reptile of Massachusetts. Current scientific classification recognizes 13 subspecies (ordered by date): Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Thamnophis. The subspecific name, fiestchi, is in honor of American herpetologist Henry Sheldon Fitch. The subspecific name, lowei, is in honor of American herpetologist Charles Herbert Lowe. The subspecific name, pickeringii, is in honor of American naturalist Charles E. Pickering.