What Gender is it?

[Sarah E]

Hi all! I have a new garter baby. Our full-grown is getting up there, she's going on 7 years of age. This little one was hanging out on our porch. I was surprised when I picked it up it did not try to attack me. Normally when we "hold" snakes in our yard, they'll be very excited, nip, etc. but this guy is very calm, and seemed to relish the warmth of my hand.

So I'm curious what gender he/she is. Thanks!

Sarah

[Albert Clark]

Appears to be a female. Probably young but the large head and sharply tapered tail is kind of telling. Looks like a eastern garter too. T.s.sirtalis.

[Sarah E]

Thank you! SHe's really pretty. And looks completely different from my older girl, T.S.Sirtalis, at 3 ft long.

[Albert Clark]

Did you find your older female in the same area? Garter snakes have a very wide array of pattern variation within the same species.

[Sarah E]

She was in our garage 6 1/2 years ago roughly. This little girl was in our backyard, so not far from our garage.

[Albert Clark]

She was in our garage 6 1/2 years ago roughly. This little girl was in our backyard, so not far from our garage.

Wow! They might even be related then. Parent /daughter? Maybe cousins? Being that they were caught in such a close proximity.

[Sarah E]

Albert. Most likely cousins. the 7 year old has been captive since a tiny baby, smaller than this girl. That'd be pretty cool! We used to see garters all the time, but about 8 years ago it became a rarity to see them.

[guidofatherof5]

The sex of the snake is female.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Nice looking female!