These snakes also live in southern Canada, Mexico, and Central America. It is easy to recognize most garter snakes by the three light stripes that run along the body. One runs down the middle of the back, and the others are on each side near the belly. In many species, a pattern like a checkerboard fills the spaces between the stripes. The various kinds of garter snakes differ in size.
Males are slightly shorter and much thinner.
Two kinds of garter snakes, called ribbon snakes, have an extremely slender body. The red-sided garter snake lives farther north than any other reptile in the Western Hemisphere. It is found as far north as Canada's Northwest Territories. Three things make garter snakes different from many other American snakes. They like to live in the parks of cities and towns.