![]() ![]() Research indicates that these snakes harbor significant amounts of active toxin in their tissues after consuming a newt. Some will also regurgitate the contents of their stomach and most will bite.Ĭommon gartersnakes are one of the few vertebrates that can successfully prey on the extremely toxic rough-skinned newt. Gartersnakes defend themselves by releasing the contents of their cloaca and musk glands then smearing this pungent foul-smelling mixture over themselves and their attacker. In the spring and fall snakes may be found away from water as they move to and from terrestrial overwintering sites. Typical terrestrial habitats include sunny areas near water such as meadows, oak patches, forest openings, and shrubby areas. Juvenile common gartersnakes have been observed hunting newly metamorphosing pacific treefrogs in shallow, seasonal, water bodies. They are good swimmers and can hunt both on and below the water surface. Typical aquatic habitats include wetlands, bogs, ponds, lakes, springs, creeks, and rivers. In Washington, common gartesnakes are almost always found near water. This short video highlights gartersnakes of Washington.įor more details about common gartersnake, see the Washington Herp Atlas. The scale counts differ northwestern gartersnakes have 17 scales at mid-body (occasionally 19), 7 upper labial scales, and 8 or 9 lower labials. Dark-bodied northwestern gartersnakes with green, turquoise, blue or yellow stripes are common. In western Washington, northwestern gartersnakes and common gartersnakes are the most difficult species to distinguish based on coloration. In very melanistic (dark pigmented) individuals, all the skin between the scales is black and no white or red blotches are present. Other variations include orange blotches instead of red blotches only on the anterior portions of the snake or red blotches that are hidden under dark scales. This trait is usually more prominent near the head. This trait will not be obvious in most snakes without gently stretching the skin to separate the scales above the lateral stripes. Snakes without red blotches have white patches of skin between the scales on the sides of the body. Snakes with blue lateral stripes usually have blue ventral coloration. The ventral (underside) coloration is usually yellow or cream under the chin with increasing black pigmentation toward the tail. All stripes may be the same color, or the lateral stripes may differ from the dorsal stripe in color. Stripe colors are yellow, green, turquoise or blue. Ground color is slate gray or black, sometimes with a bluish tinge. In western Washington, red blotches may or may not be present on the common gartersnake and the stripe coloration is much more variable. They differ in having smooth scales, 15 dorsal scale rows, and a mid-dorsal area that is dark brown or black with multiple white or yellow stripes on the sides of the body. Individuals, in some areas, may have blue or turquoise lateral stripes instead of yellow and these snakes usually have blue ventral scales.ĭesert striped whipsnakes may be confused with gartersnakes. The ventral coloration is yellow or buff. Distinct red blotches are present on the sides of the body just above the lateral stripes. In eastern Washington, common gartersnakes are black bodied with bright yellow dorsal and lateral stripes. Occasionally, extra labial scales are present. Common gartersnakes usually have 19 scales at mid-body, 7 upper labial scales and 10 lower labial scales. The scales are keeled.ĭifferences in scale counts are important for distinguishing the three garter snakes in Washington. Adults can reach 54 inches total length but individuals in Washington are shorter. The lateral or dorsal stripes may be absent in some individuals. Typically, three stripes are present a thin dorsal (topside) stripe on the middle of the back and two thin lateral (side) stripes on the second and third dorsal scale rows. It has a dorsal pattern that is the most variable of any of the gartersnake species ( Thamnophis species). The common gartersnake is a medium-sized dark snake with stripes. Although little appreciated, these are beautiful snakes with many stunning color variations. All traits, especially scale counts, color and pattern, must be examined to correctly identify a garter snake to species. Washington’s three gartersnake species (common, northwestern and terrestrial) are similar in general appearance and have coloration and patterns that vary regionally and by individual. Monofilament recovery and recycling program. ![]()
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