Garter snake

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iGarter snakes
Red-sided Gartner SnakeThamnophis sirtalis parietalis
Red-sided Gartner Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Thamnophis
Fitzinger, 1843
Species

Many; see article.

A garter snake is any species of North American snake within the genus Thamnophis.

Garter snakes are extremely common across North America, from Canada to Central America, an everyday find in gardens. They are the single most widely distributed species of reptile in North America, and in fact, the common garter snake, T. sirtalis, is the only species of snake to be found in Alaska. It is also one of the northernmost species of snake in the world, possibly second only to the Crossed Viper, Vipera berus. The genus is so far ranging due to its unparticular diet and adaptability to different biomes and landforms, from marshes to hillsides to drainage ditches and even vacant lots, in both dry and wet regions, with varying proximity to water and rivers. Though, as you approach the western portion of the continent these snakes are more water-loving than on the eastern portion. Northern populations hibernate in larger groups than southern ones. Despite the decline in their population from collection as pets (especially in the more northerly regions in which large groups are collected at hibernation), pollution of aquatic areas, and introduction of bullfrogs and bass as predators, this is still a very commonly found snake. The San Francisco garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia, however, is an endangered subspecies and has been on the endangered list since 1967. Predation by crayfish has also been responsible for the decline of the narrowhead garter snake, T. rufipunctatus.

There is no real consensus exactly how many species of Thamnophis there are, and disagreement among taxonomists and sources, such as field guides, over whether two types of snakes are separate species or subspecies of the same species is common. They are also closely related to the snakes of the genus Nerodia, and some species have been moved back and forth between genera.

Contents

[edit] Description

There is little variation within the pattern of scales among the different varieties of garter snakes, but coloration varies widely across varieties and geographic regions.

The pattern on these snakes consists of one or three longitudinal stripes on the back, typically red, yellow or white. The snake genus got its common name because people described the stripes as resembling a garter. In between the stripes on the pattern are rows with blotchy spots. Even within a single species the color in the stripes and spots and background can differ. In some species the stripes vary little in color from the adjacent bands or background and are not readily seen. Most garter snakes are under 60 cm (24 inches) long, but can be larger. T. gigas is capable of attaining lengths of 160cm.

[edit] Diet

Garter snakes, like all snakes, are carnivorous. Their diet consists of almost any creature that they are capable of overpowering: slugs, earthworms, leeches, lizards, amphibians, birds, and rodents. A common misconception is that they eat insects. While some snake species do, garters do not. When living near the water, they will eat fish and other aquatic animals. The ribbon snake in particular favors frogs (including tadpoles), readily eating them despite their strong chemical defenses.[citation needed] Food is swallowed whole. Although dining mostly upon live animals, they will sometimes eat eggs or even carrion as well.

[edit] Behavior

Garter snakes of all species are gregarious (when not in hibernation or aestivation). They have complex systems of pheromonal communication. They can locate other snakes by following their pheromone-scented trails. Male and female skin pheromones are so different as to be immediately distinguishable. However, sometimes a male garter snake is born that has both male and female pheromones. During mating season, male snakes are often fooled into thinking these snakes are female by their pheromones, and will try to mate with them. These males with the female pheromone genetic variation are among the first to mate, attracting females while other males are still fooled into being attracted to them.

If disturbed, a garter snake may strike, and will often coil, but typically it will hide its head and flail its tail about. These snakes will also discharge a malodorous, musky-scented secretion from their anal gland. They often use these techniques to escape when ensnared by a predator. They will also slither into the water to escape a predator on land. Hawks, crows, raccoons, crayfish and other snake species (such as the coral snake and king snakes) will eat garter snakes, with even shrews and frogs eating the juveniles.

Being heterothermic like all reptiles, garter snakes bask in the sun to keep their body temperature warm (at 28 to 32 degrees Celsius) during the morning. The temperature is lower during the evening. Garter snakes will often sleep together to keep their body temperature warm at night. They also sleep in large nests—called hibernacula—next to one another's body during hibernation. These snakes will migrate large distances to hibernate.

[edit] Reproduction

Garter snakes go into hibernation before they mate. Before they can do this, they stop eating for about two weeks to clear their stomach of any food that would rot there otherwise. Garter snakes begin mating as soon as they emerge from hibernation. During mating season, the males will mate with several females. In chillier parts of their range, male common garter snakes will awaken from hibernation first, giving themselves enough time to prepare to mate with females when they finally appear. [1] Males comes out of their dens and, as soon as the females begin coming out, will surround them. A male sends out pheromones, and the female will follow the pheromones to an attractive male and mate with him. Once impregnated, a female will retire from the mating ring and find food and a place to give birth. Female garter snakes are able to store the male's sperm before beginning the accouchement. The young are incubated in the lower abdomen, at about the midpoint of the length of the mother's body. Garter snakes are ovoviviparous. Gestation is two to three months. As few as 3 or as many as 50 may be born in a single litter. The babies are independent upon birth, abandoning the mother.

[edit] In captivity

Their ease of care, small size, and willingness to consume food sources other than rodents make garter snakes attractive choices for a pet snake. Some herpetoculturists consider garter snakes easier to breed than many other reptiles, mainly because garter snakes give birth to live young. Due to their prolific nature, garter snakes of many species are commonly available in the exotic pet trade, primarily T. sirtalis, T. marcianus and T. cyrtopsis. Despite how easy it is to breed garter snakes, wild-caught specimens still appear in the pet trade. In recent years many US states have outlawed the sale of garter snakes in order to protect wild populations. In addition to the pet trade, these snakes are well represented in zoos throughout the world.

A pair of garter snakes can live comfortably in a 20-gallon aquarium or similar sized enclosure. The enclosure must be escape proof and well ventilated. A heat source should placed on one side of the enclosure to create a temperature gradient for the snakes. Incandescent lights and ceramic heat emitters work best for this purpose. The temperature under the heat source should stay between 90 F and 95 F, while the opposite side of the enclosure should stay between 75 F and 80 F. Hiding places should be available to the snakes on both sides of the enclosure. One of the most common mistakes beginning snake-keepers make is not providing their pets with shelters on both the warm and cool ends of their enclosures. Humidity levels inside the enclosure should be moderate (50-60%) to help with shedding. Garter snakes must be maintained over a dry substrate, otherwise the snakes may develop skin diseases. Good substrates include reptile mats (although not recommended), paper towels, shredded aspen, dry coconut bark or dry orchid bark, preferably of a large grade. Avoid fine, sticky substrates such as sand, as garters snakes may ingest such substrates and suffer from gut impaction as a result. Because of this you should feed your snake outside of it's tank, preferably in a container with no substrate, to prevent this from happening

Garter snakes will take a wide variety of prey. Ideal prey items include earthworms, fish, small amphibians, and rodents. Garter snakes and other reptiles should not be fed a diet of nothing but fish. A diet consisting only of fish can lead to vitamin B deficiencies from thiamiase that can prove fatal. Goldfish have thiaminase in them and are not recommended. Good fish to feed are rosie reds and guppies. Amphibians such as newts and frogs are not recommended either because of most newts' poisonous skin, which some garters can overpower, and the high amount of parasites in frogs and toads. As with most animals, a varied diet is important; keepers of garter snakes should vary their pets’ diets if they aren't eating mice to ensure the snakes receive proper nutrition. Mice are a good food for most garter snakes, as they have high nutritional values. Baby mice, also known as pinkies, do not have as high nutritional value, but still higher than earthworms. If feeding earthworms, buy a calcium supplement and dip half of the worm in it to keep the snake interested in the other half, and once it starts eating the good smelling part it will continue to eat the entire thing.

[edit] Taxonomy

  • Longnose Garter Snake, Thamnophis angustirostris (Kennicott, 1860)
  • Aquatic Garter Snake, Thamnophis atratus
  • Shorthead Garter Snake, Thamnophis brachystoma (Cope, 1892)
  • Butler's Garter Snake, Thamnophis butleri (Cope, 1889)
  • Goldenhead Garter Snake, Thamnophis chrysocephalus (Cope, 1885)
  • Western Aquatic Garter Snake, Thamnophis couchii (Kennicott, 1859)
Eastern Blackneck Garter, Thamnophis cyrtopsis ocellatus
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Eastern Blackneck Garter, Thamnophis cyrtopsis ocellatus
  • Blackneck Garter Snake, Thamnophis cyrtopsis
    • Western Blackneck Garter Snake, Thamnophis cyrtopsis cyrtopsis (Kennicott, 1860)
    • Eastern Blackneck Garter Snake, Thamnophis cyrtopsis ocellatus (Cope, 1880)
    • Tropical Blackneck Garter Snake, Thamnophis cyrtopsis collaris (Jan, 1863)
    • Tepalcatepec Valley Garter Snake, Thamnophis cyrtopsis postremus (Smith, 1942)
    • Yellow-throated Garter Snake, Thamnophis cyrtopsis pulchrilatus (Cope, 1885)
  • Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, Thamnophis elegans
  • Thamnophis eques
    • Mexican Garter Snake, Thamnophis eques eques (Reuss, 1834)
    • Laguna Totolcingo Garter Snake, Thamnophis eques carmenensis (Conant, 2003)
    • Thamnophis eques cuitzeoensis (Conant, 2003)
    • Thamnophis eques diluvialis (Conant, 2003)
    • Thamnophis eques insperatus (Conant, 2003)
    • Northern Mexican Garter Snake, Thamnophis eques megalops (Kennicott, 1860)
    • Thamnophis eques obscurus (Conant, 2003)
    • Thamnophis eques patzcuaroensis (Conant, 2003)
    • Thamnophis eques scotti (Conant, 2003)
    • Thamnophis eques virgatenuis (Conant, 1963)
Checkered Garter Snake, Thamnophis marcianus
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Checkered Garter Snake, Thamnophis marcianus
  • Montane Garter Snake, Thamnophis exsul (Rossman, 1969)
  • Highland Garter Snake, Thamnophis fulvus (Bocourt, 1893)
  • Giant Garter Snake, Thamnophis gigas (Fitch, 1940)
  • Godman's Garter Snake, Thamnophis godmani (Günther, 1894)
  • Two-striped Garter Snake, Thamnophis hammondii (Kennicott, 1860)
  • Checkered Garter Snake, Thamnophis marcianus (Baird & Girard, 1853)
  • Blackbelly Garter Snake, Thamnophis melanogaster
    • Gray Blackbelly Garter Snake, Thamnophis melanogaster canescens (Smith, 1942)
    • Chihuahuan Blackbelly Garter Snake, Thamnophis melanogaster chihuahuanensis (Tanner, 1959)
    • Lined Blackbelly Garter Snake, Thamnophis melanogaster linearis (Smith, Nixon & Smith, 1950)
    • Mexican Blackbelly Garter Snake, Thamnophis melanogaster melanogaster (Peters, 1864)
  • Tamaulipan Montane Garter Snake, Thamnophis mendax (Walker, 1955)
  • Northwestern Garter Snake, Thamnophis ordinoides (Baird & Girard, 1852)
  • Western Ribbon Snake, Thamnophis proximus
Redstripe Ribbon Snake, Thamnophis proximus rubrilineatus
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Redstripe Ribbon Snake, Thamnophis proximus rubrilineatus

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[edit] References

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