Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans)

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The Terrestrial Garter Snake, if present in the NWT, is probably confined to the Liard River Valley. Harmless to humans, this terrestrial snake, also named the Western Wandering Garter, is primarily active in the day. It is a slender snake of grey, or brown to greenish colouring with light stripes (orange/yellow) on its back. It is distinguished from the Red-sided garter by having eight scales on its upper lip and lack of red bars between the back and side stripes. Although not as aquatic as some garter snakes, it will most likely be found near a body of water.