Most states have at least one kind of garter snake.
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.