Spotted Garter Snake

Eutaenia sirtalis, variety ordinata, (Linn.)

Colouration: Green, olive or brown, with rows of square black spots, arranged in tessellated fashion. There are no stripes. With occasional very dark specimens, the spots are very obscure. There is usually a dull brown band, covering the first three rows of scales. The majority of specimens are distinctly greenish.
Distribution: Southeastern Canada and the United States generally, east of the Mississippi River. The greater number of specimens come from the New England States. This snake is not so abundant as the typical form, although it covers much the same area of distribution.

Size and form like the typical snake.

The writer has noted that many females of this variety give birth to litters in which are spotted individuals like the parent and others with three distinct stripes. Owing to these conditions the variety cannot be regarded as very distinct or constant.