Valley garter snake

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valley garter snake

photo by: Lisa Robinson

Valley Garter Snake, photo by John Sullivan

Valley Garter Snake, photo by John Sullivan

Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi

Valley garter snake (common garter snake)

Key ID features:

  • Typically 3 dorsal stripes,
  • Red blotches on sides of body above the lateral stripes.
  • Red cheek blotch usually present.
  • Good swimmers.
  • COLOR: dorsal black body with yellow stripes, ventral body yellow or buff. 7 upper labial scales
  • Almost always found near water
  • One of few vertebrates that can prey successfully on rough-skinned newts- active toxin found in their livers after predation.
    Valley Garter Snake by John Sullivan

    Valley Garter Snake by John Sullivan

Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi Valley garter snake

7 upper labial scales –key ID feature

 

valley garter snake

photo by Dave Hillstad

valley garter snake

photo by: Susan | Paul Ballinger

valley garter snake

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