Illustration of garter snake
garter snake
noun
: any of a genus (Thamnophis) of harmless viviparous American snakes with longitudinal stripes on the back
Examples of garter snake in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The researchers tested 18 African ball pythons, a solitary snake species, and 36 eastern garter snakes, which are known to be more social.
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Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
For the first time, researchers — employing an innovative twist on the mirror test — have found evidence that garter snakes can distinguish themselves from others, using not sight but scent.
—Asher Elbein, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
The scientists suggest the garter snakes recognized themselves and were intrigued by the unexpected change in their smell.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
Pests and wildlife have at times infiltrated its campuses, including an incident where a garter snake entered a Boulder building.
—Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
For humans, a bite from a garter snake might cause mild irritation but is not dangerous.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2023
For example, the eastern garter snake births a litter of 10 to 40 snakes.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2023
Hinton held up a black-and-yellow garter snake, perhaps a metre long, twisting round and round like a spring.
—Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
For example, the butler's garter snake, which is a special concern species in Wisconsin, has habitats in southern Wisconsin, including in Milwaukee County.
—Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 6 June 2023
Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
For the first time, researchers — employing an innovative twist on the mirror test — have found evidence that garter snakes can distinguish themselves from others, using not sight but scent.
—Asher Elbein, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
The scientists suggest the garter snakes recognized themselves and were intrigued by the unexpected change in their smell.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
Pests and wildlife have at times infiltrated its campuses, including an incident where a garter snake entered a Boulder building.
—Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
For humans, a bite from a garter snake might cause mild irritation but is not dangerous.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2023
For example, the eastern garter snake births a litter of 10 to 40 snakes.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2023
Hinton held up a black-and-yellow garter snake, perhaps a metre long, twisting round and round like a spring.
—Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
For example, the butler's garter snake, which is a special concern species in Wisconsin, has habitats in southern Wisconsin, including in Milwaukee County.
—Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 6 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'garter snake.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Garter snake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/garter%20snake. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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