A variable width gate for adaptively mating with boundaries of an opening to provide a barrier therebetween, the variable width gate comprising: (a) an extendable gate including a first gate section mounted to a second gate section, wherein either the first gate section or the second gate section includes a rib; (b) a tracker adapted to engage the rib and operatively coupled to the other of the first gate section or the second gate section not having the rib; and (c) a handle operatively coupled to one of the tracker and the rib, such that displacement of the handle manipulates the position of the tracker in relation to the rib to horizontally reposition the first gate section with respect to the second gate section.