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Garter Snakes Are Reptiles With a Smile

Outdoors & Gear - Scout Life magazine

Garter snakes are some of the best-known snakes. But why are they called garter snakes? Well, they look a lot like an old-fashioned piece of clothing by the same name. Before stretchy socks were created in the 1930s, people wore garters to keep socks from sliding down. These garters often had striped or checkered patterns. So one story goes that when biologists were naming the snakes, they thought they looked like sock garters. Some people believe the name comes from a twist on the word “garden,” since garter snakes are often found in or near gardens. THEY’VE GOT THE LOOK Garter snakes belong to the genus Thamnophis (Greek for “bush snake”). They are found from southern Canada to Costa Rica and live in all of the lower 48 states. Most of the 37 species in this genus are named garter snakes, but there are two skinny ones called ribbon snakes and two in Mexico called mountain meadow snakes. Most garter snakes have dark bodies (brown, black or gray) with light stripes from head to tail. They can also have a checkered pattern or a combination of the two. One even has side-to-side stripes in a ladder pattern. Typically, one bold [...]

"Garter Snakes Are Reptiles With a Smile" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

What To Pack for Your First Summer Camp

Outdoors & Gear - Scout Life magazine

Q: This is my first summer camp. What should I bring?

"What To Pack for Your First Summer Camp" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.

How to Conduct a Flag Ceremony

Outdoors & Gear - Scout Life magazine

At a campout, a unit meeting or community event, your unit can perform a flag ceremony. Here’s a simple outline.

"How to Conduct a Flag Ceremony" appeared first on Scout Life magazine.