Case of mistaken identity #1

Rattlesnake? or Western Terrestrial Garter Snake?

The harmless Western Terrestrial Garter Snake is one of the most common snakes in our province, and also the most commonly misidentified.  Once you take a closer look, however, the differences between the two snakes are clear.

Northern Pacific Rattlesnake		Western Terrestrial (Wandering) Garter Snake
	In comparison to rattlesnakes, garter snakes have... a relatively small head and indistinct neck   no heat pits
	no rattle - the tail is long and skinny
	many small black dots the size of a pencil eraser usually has white stripes down its body

In addition, the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake is a thinner snake.   Rattlesnakes tend to be chunky, thick-bodied snakes. 

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