Is this a garter snake?

[ConcinusMan]

Oh no. They are thamnophis. IF you choose to call all thamnophis "garter snakes" then yes.

There has always been a distinction between the two, for me, as long as I can remember. Really though, the difference is as little as that between a yam and a sweet potato.

[Stefan-A]

Oh no. They are thamnophis. IF you choose to call all thamnophis "garter snakes" then yes.

Oh yes. And yes, that is the definition of "garter snake".