Some varieties have red or black spots between the dorsal stripe and the side stripes. [6][7] Snakes from Colorado populations of terrestrial garter snakes appear to be more efficient at killing their prey by constriction than those from Pacific Coast populations. ODFW has a fun fact sheet for kids of any age, and a more in-depth brochure, Living with Snakes. Western terrestrial garter snake is a species of snake belonging to the family Colubridae, found in western North America. The wandering snake has the most toxic venom among the garter snake species. Article by Xavier Jones. Some varieties have red or black spots between the dorsal stripe and the side stripes. The Western terrestrial garter snake (Thamnophis elegans) occurs in a wide variety of habitats and, despite its name, it spends a lot of time in water. The Western Terrestrial Garter Snake is a complex species made up of several subspecies. The Western terrestrial garter snake (Thamnophis elegans) occurs in a wide variety of habitats and, despite its name, it spends a lot of time in water. © 2021 (Coniferous Forest). It is an immensely variable species, and even the most experienced herpetologists have trouble when it comes to identification. The western terrestrial garter snake (Thamnophis elegans) is a western North American species of colubrid snake. The coloration of these snakes throughout the region can be highly variable, which adds to the confusion of identifying garters to species in the field. There are 16 species of Old World coral snake in three genera (Calliophis, Hemibungarus, and Sinomicrurus), and over 65 recognized species of New World coral snakes in two genera (Micruroides and Micrurus). Coastal populations' food sources mainly include terrestrial prey such as slugs, salamanders, small mammals, and lizards. [12], 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T63976A12732762.en, "NatureServe and IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) 2007. Identification difficult because there are four subspecies, all varying in coloration. The snake species also has melanistic variations. The eggs are hatched inside the female snake’s body and 8-12 live young ones are born. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Western_terrestrial_garter_snake&oldid=993349484, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 10 December 2020, at 03:42. More information... People also love these ideas . At least five subspecies are currently recognized. Like many species of North American garter snake, the western terrestrial garter snake possesses a mildly venomous saliva. Due to dietary and foraging differences between variants of T. elegans, it can be inferred that coastal populations have filled a niche in the environment that allows them to no longer rely on fish as a major food source. It can … They start looking for food and often become aggressive in order to survive. Western terrestrial garter snakes frequent Idaho's streams, lakes and marshes as well as its desert riparian areas, mountain lakes and mountain meadows. The western terrestrial and the wandering garter snakes will bite when it feels seriously threatened. Most western terrestrial garter snakes have a yellow, light orange, or white dorsal stripe, accompanied by two stripes of the same color, one on each side. The Western terrestrial garter snake is a mildly venomous colubrid snake found in western North America. Common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis), a close relative of western terrestrial garter snakes, grows to 150 grams. [11] Western terrestrial garter snake. mink, Virginia opossums, raccoons, American robins, bald eagles, ring-billed Their common breeding season is spring but they mate in the falls as well. Some varieties have red or black spots between the dorsal stripe and the side stripes. [4][5], This species is the only garter snake species with a well-documented tendency to constrict prey, although the constriction is inefficient when compared with the constriction of many other snakes (such as the gopher snake), involving disorganized, loose, and sometimes unstable coils and a longer time required to kill prey. The common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) is the state reptile of Massachusetts. Tropidoclonion lineatum . This garter snake is usually gray-brown or black, with a dark, checkered pattern between yellow stripes. This list includes 102 species of Colubrid snakes found in North America. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Thamnophis_elegans/#reproduction, https://digitalatlas.cose.isu.edu/bio/reptile/serp/thel/thelfram.htm, https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/28398-Thamnophis-elegans, https://www.bcreptiles.ca/snakes/westterrgarter.htm, Mostly found in and around lakes and streams (slow flowing), but also common in mountainous areas, deserts, forests, and meadows, Around 2 years in the wild and 6-12 in the captivity, Lizards, salamanders, slugs, fish, toad and frog larvae, and leeches, and small mammals. As a group the Thamnophis ssp’s are slender snakes with heads that are slightly larger than the body diameter, stripes usually running dorsally and laterally down the length of the body, keeled dorsal scales that lack apical pits, a single anal scale, and paired su… Most western terrestrial garter snakes have a yellow, light orange, or white dorsal stripe, accompanied by two stripes of the same color, one on each side. The Natricinae subfamily includes water snakes (Nerodia) and garter snakes (Thamnophis) among others. It is an immensely variable species, and even the most experienced herpetologists have trouble when it comes to identification. Specimens collected from Idaho and Washington produced venom with myonecrotic (muscle tissue-killing) effects when injected into the gastrocnemius muscles of mice. Behavior: Adult garter snakes eat toads, frogs and salamanders. The snake has a foul-smelling secretion from its cloaca which it rubs off all over the body to ward off its predators. Saw a few Western Terrestrial (Wandering) Garter Snakes on the beach sunning and hunting.Filmed on Galiano Island at Dionisio Park. Your email address will not be published. This is unlike some oth… Western terrestrial garter snakes produce a very mildly neurotoxic venom, but do not pose a threat to people as they cannot effectively deliver the venom to anything but their small prey. All rights reserved. Melanistic wandering garters have been produced. The species is solitary when they are active, but hibernate communally during winter. [12] Since coastal T. elegans is found along the West Coast of the United States, it is found near the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Western Terrestrial Garter Snake The medium-sized snake is basically terrestrial, but at times it becomes semi-aquatic. Western terrestrial garter snakes are found throughout Colorado, except the northeastern corner of the state. The rubber boa occurs in a variety of habitats, from desert scrub, foothill woodlands, and grasslands through … Like many species of North American garter snake, the western terrestrial garter snake possesses a mildly venomous saliva. These medium-sized snakes can often be seen in the summer basking on the stonewall surrounding Varsity Pond on the CU Boulder campus. Thamnophis elegans. An isolated population occurs in Baja California, Mexico. [3] Several cases of mild human envenomation with local edema and other symptoms (but without any systemic symptoms) have occurred from the wandering garter snake subspecies, including in Colorado. [13] Thus, aquatic food sources are a staple in the inland snake populations' diet. [12] These include craning, cruising, and diving. Lizards Reptiles Garden Snakes Snake Venom Snake Tattoo Sea Birds Snails Creepers Garter. 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