Garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, 2015.

Garter snakes may be harmless to humans but, like all snakes, they are carnivores. These cute little snakes eat almost anything they can overpower. This means slugs, worms, leeches, lizards, crickets and even frogs, toads, eggs and rodents are on the menu. Garter snakes often adapt to eating whatever they can find, which is helpful during times of scarcity. Despite a decline in population from the pet trade (because large numbers of snakes have been collected during bromation, the reptile's version of hibernation), pollution and introduction of bullfrogs as predators to garter snakes, these animals are still some of the most common reptiles in their ranges. They are found throughout most of North America in a wide range of habitats.