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General Information About the Garter Snake & Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis)
Garter snakes and Ribbon snakes are one of the most common snakes found in North America. They are found in a variety of habitats all over the country. These are most likely the first snake ever seen of caught by many children. Garter and Ribbons are a small snake never really getting longer than 3 feet as adults. They come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. There is currently only one species of Garter snake on the Endangered Species list; it is the San Francisco Garter Snake.
Garters and Ribbons are known for "musking" and biting when first handled. Take your time; let the snake get used to being handled in short periods at a time. These are very active snakes and can be flighty at times. Make sure you are sitting when handling because if they get away from you they can fall to the floor and hurt themselves. Support the snake from the middle of the body and just redirect the head away from where you don't want it to go.