Thamnophis
HumboldtHerps.com
THAMNOPHIS - SIGHTINGS
Northwestern Garter Snake (juvenile) T. ordinoides
FERN CANYON - Redwood National Park (Humboldt County) - March 31, 2005
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
California Red-sided Garter Snake T. s. infernalis T. e. terrestris
Coast Garter Snake (neonate)
HEADWATERS FOREST RESERVE
- north trail along the Elk River (Humboldt County) - April 22, 2006
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Garter Snake T. a. hydrophilus (spotted/striped morph)
MATTHEW'S CREEK
- campground above south fork of the Salmon River (Siskiyou County) - July 23, 2006 (around 6PM)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Valley Garter Snake (3 young specimens) T. s. fitchi
UPPER BOULDER LAKE - near East Boulder Lake, NE Trinity Alps
(Trinity County) - September 9, 2006
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Northwestern Garter Snake T. ordinoides
LOGPILE! - near Strawberry Rock east of Trinidad, CA (Humboldt County) - April 1, 2007
This rather robust Northwestern was found out in a lumber pile in a logged forest clearing.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Northwestern Garter Snake picture missing
(west of) HILLER PARK / HAMMOND TRAIL - overlooking the mouth of the Mad River (Humboldt County) - April 2, 2007
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Garter Snake ( X Mountain Garter?) T. a. hydrophilus (striped)
HELLGATE - South Fork of the Trinity River (Trinity County) - April 9, 2007
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
California Red-sided X Coast Garter? T. s. infernalis X T. e. terrestris
MAD RIVER PUMP STATION - off West End Road, east of Arcata (Humboldt County) - April 15, 2007
Hybridization is suspected among these 3 examples found near the lower Mad River in the late afternoon. The first (A) looked like a
completely normal CA Red-sided except for the ventrals at the tail which were flecked orange (typical of the the Coast Garter). The second
specimen (B) looked like a Red-sided Garter with less red on the head and fainter lateral red blotches; much of the head color was replaced
with what appears to be our Coast's olives; lateral-ventral blended stripe very light like infernalis; no red flecking. The third variation (C)
was typically Coast (olive brown ground colors with excessive orange flecking laterally and ventrally), yet also displayed the lateral
patterning reminiscent of the CA Red-sided. All of these snakes were found in flood level lumber piles near the river.
Coast Garter (neonate) MAD RIVER FISH HATCHERY (same day) T. e. terrestris
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Coast Garter Snake T. e. terrestris (classic red phase - 2 specimens)
SOUTH JETTY ROAD - below Table Bluff, CA west of Salmon Creek Watershed (Humboldt County) April 20, 2007
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Coast Garter Snake T. e. terrestris
(west of ) LOLETA, CA - off of Cannibal Road north of the mouth of the Eel River (Humboldt County) April 22, 2007
During one of our local herp group's field outings we came across a couple of juvenile Coast Garters (A & B) as well as an olive-ish Coast
(C) (with a possible infernalis influence?)
A B C
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Mountain Garter Snake (possible Northwestern Garter influence?) T. e. elegans
DEVIL'S PUNCHBOWL - Siskiyou Wilderness / Klamath Mountains (Siskiyou County) June 04-2007
This particular specimen's range was in that of the Mountain Garter; the fact that it was found further away from the creek we had passed
and was on a hotter and dryer (southern) portion of the mountain also seemed to support my suspicions as to its identity. Eight upper
labials are typical for T. e. elegans (did not get a lower labial count). The olive colors and basic look of the snake reminded me of the
Northwestern Garter, but most Northwestern sightings are usually much further west. Both species tend to be more terrestrial than their
Common or Aquatic cousins. This specimen also does not have the typical bold light dorsal stripe usually present in the Mountain
subspecies.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
FERN CANYON - Redwood National Park (Humboldt County) - March 31, 2005
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
California Red-sided Garter Snake T. s. infernalis T. e. terrestris
Coast Garter Snake (neonate)
HEADWATERS FOREST RESERVE
- north trail along the Elk River (Humboldt County) - April 22, 2006
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Garter Snake T. a. hydrophilus (spotted/striped morph)
MATTHEW'S CREEK
- campground above south fork of the Salmon River (Siskiyou County) - July 23, 2006 (around 6PM)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Valley Garter Snake (3 young specimens) T. s. fitchi
UPPER BOULDER LAKE - near East Boulder Lake, NE Trinity Alps
(Trinity County) - September 9, 2006
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Northwestern Garter Snake T. ordinoides
LOGPILE! - near Strawberry Rock east of Trinidad, CA (Humboldt County) - April 1, 2007
This rather robust Northwestern was found out in a lumber pile in a logged forest clearing.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Northwestern Garter Snake picture missing
(west of) HILLER PARK / HAMMOND TRAIL - overlooking the mouth of the Mad River (Humboldt County) - April 2, 2007
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Garter Snake ( X Mountain Garter?) T. a. hydrophilus (striped)
HELLGATE - South Fork of the Trinity River (Trinity County) - April 9, 2007
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
California Red-sided X Coast Garter? T. s. infernalis X T. e. terrestris
MAD RIVER PUMP STATION - off West End Road, east of Arcata (Humboldt County) - April 15, 2007
Hybridization is suspected among these 3 examples found near the lower Mad River in the late afternoon. The first (A) looked like a
completely normal CA Red-sided except for the ventrals at the tail which were flecked orange (typical of the the Coast Garter). The second
specimen (B) looked like a Red-sided Garter with less red on the head and fainter lateral red blotches; much of the head color was replaced
with what appears to be our Coast's olives; lateral-ventral blended stripe very light like infernalis; no red flecking. The third variation (C)
was typically Coast (olive brown ground colors with excessive orange flecking laterally and ventrally), yet also displayed the lateral
patterning reminiscent of the CA Red-sided. All of these snakes were found in flood level lumber piles near the river.
Coast Garter (neonate) MAD RIVER FISH HATCHERY (same day) T. e. terrestris
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Coast Garter Snake T. e. terrestris (classic red phase - 2 specimens)
SOUTH JETTY ROAD - below Table Bluff, CA west of Salmon Creek Watershed (Humboldt County) April 20, 2007
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Coast Garter Snake T. e. terrestris
(west of ) LOLETA, CA - off of Cannibal Road north of the mouth of the Eel River (Humboldt County) April 22, 2007
During one of our local herp group's field outings we came across a couple of juvenile Coast Garters (A & B) as well as an olive-ish Coast
(C) (with a possible infernalis influence?)
A B C
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Mountain Garter Snake (possible Northwestern Garter influence?) T. e. elegans
DEVIL'S PUNCHBOWL - Siskiyou Wilderness / Klamath Mountains (Siskiyou County) June 04-2007
This particular specimen's range was in that of the Mountain Garter; the fact that it was found further away from the creek we had passed
and was on a hotter and dryer (southern) portion of the mountain also seemed to support my suspicions as to its identity. Eight upper
labials are typical for T. e. elegans (did not get a lower labial count). The olive colors and basic look of the snake reminded me of the
Northwestern Garter, but most Northwestern sightings are usually much further west. Both species tend to be more terrestrial than their
Common or Aquatic cousins. This specimen also does not have the typical bold light dorsal stripe usually present in the Mountain
subspecies.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
| Thamnophis Main Page |
| Thamnophis (2) I.D. Comparisons |
| Thamnophis (3) I.D. Comparisons |
| Thamnophis (4) Ranges, Terrain, etc... |
(habitat)
B
THAMNOPHIS - SIGHTINGS
(habitat)
A
C
Oregon Garter Snake (spotted and spotted/striped variant) T. a. hydrophilus
NORTH FORK SALMON RIVER - 5 miles east of Forks of the Salmon, CA (Siskiyou County) June 17, 2007
A sudden stop for a dip in the North Fork of the Salmon during the late afternoon revealed a great opportunity to witness feeding behavior of
a Pacific Coast Aquatic Garter. My wife Kim spotted this large spotted Oregon Garter [A] eating its favorite meal - a larval Dicamptodon.
This was our first actual sighting of the spotted variation. This was an impressive snake! A full-grown adult with a (may I be so bold?)
bad-ass demeanor. This pattern variation which often has background highlights of light blues or greens offers exceptional camouflage for
when the snake is under water.
A B
We also found a more drab "spotted/striped" specimen [B] in the same area. This one had "battle" scars!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Garter Snake (spotted/striped) T. a. hydrophilus
MATTHEW'S CREEK
- campground above South Fork of Salmon River
(Siskiyou County) June 23-24, 2007
We found quite a few juveniles (5) of the striped/spotted variation here again this year. We also spotted 2 adults which were quick to dive
into waters beyond my lens; one of them had what appeared to be a partially decomposed fish in its mouth. Most of the activity witnessed
occurred mid-morning and late afternoon. Some of the youngsters were quite feisty! 3 are pictured.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Mountain Garter? T. e. elegans?
HOGAN LAKE
- Russian Wilderness (Siskiyou County) June 26-28, 2007
This was my second trip to Hogan Lake, and I was happy to find evidence of a garter here. The elevation is about 6,000 ft. I collected this
larger shed under a rock on a north-facing slope 20 ft up from the lake. Since there was no sign of snakes in the water (day's temp. in low
80's F) my guess was this was a Mountain Garter. The lake offers baby trout, and possibly Rough-skinned Newts (Are Western Terrestrial
Garters immune too?), and frogs (heard a few at night, never saw any). Although we didn't find any in the rocks around the lake, Western
Sagebrush Lizards were sighted in the sunny forested slopes nearby.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Coast Garter (possible infernalis hybrid?)
Oregon Garter
SWIMMER'S DELIGHT - Van Duzen River southeast of Carlotta, CA (Hwy 36) (Humboldt County) July 1, 2007
We spotted two garters upriver from Swimmer's Delight in the late afternoon (high 70's F). The first was once again a mystery. I'm inclined
to believe that example (A) is a hybrid between the California Red-sided Garter and the Coast Garter. Both fit the geography. The anterior
light laterals (merged with the belly) speak T. s. infernalis. The orange ventral spots and wayward reds and blacks on the upper
background scream T. e. terrestris. Please note that this conjecture may only be species variability.
T. e. terrrestris T. a. hydrophilus
Our 2nd discovery (B) was a baby Oregon Garter - a striped variant with just a hint of the beautiful blue-geen grays.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Garter Snake (spotted/striped) T. a. hydrophilus
STUART FORK CREEK and SAPPHIRE LAKE - Trinity Alps (Trinity County) July 4-9, 2007
This was 6-day excursion into the Trinity Alps along Stuart Fork Creek. Our destination was Emerald and Sapphire Lakes. Our base camp
was made at Portuguese Camp about 11 3/4 miles from the trailhead and 3 3/4 miles up from Morris Meadows at the Deer Creek trailhead.
On the 6th of July, when we visited the lakes, I was surprised to see a baby Oregon Garter (A) there. I always associate this species with
swift moving rivers and creeks; the northern shores of Sapphire Lake were a rather calm as well as a mostly barren place for this snake.
The next day when we decided to "hike" in Stuart Fork Creek up and down-stream from our camp, we quickly realized the little guy was
perhaps just as upstream as you could go. Here along the Stuart Fork we found 2 adults (B & C) and a sub-adult (no picture). These
specimens all resemble the spotted/ striped phases we've seen along the So. Fk. of the Salmon River. The South Fork is born out of the
Trinity alps, but it is geographically separated from the Stuart Fork Creek watershed. Before the creation of Trinity Lake, the Stuart Fork fed
the Trinity River directly; both the Trinity and the Salmon empty into the Klamath River from different directions; this is a very long winding
game of connect the dots where watersheds and mountain barriers are concerned. I suspect a history of up and down-stream migration.
A B C
A reminder: Oregon Garters just love to bite!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Garter Snake (spotted with occasional lateral stripes)
SOUTH FORK SMITH RIVER - Near both Redwood Flat Trail and Hurdygurdy Creek (Big Flat) (DelNorte County) July 14-15, 2007
My wife Kim and I found 2 two baby Oregon Garters (A & B) along the So. Fk. of the Smith River right across where it is fed by Hurdygurdy
Creek (late afternoon). The next day we sighted 2 more (C & D) downstream near the Redwood Flat Trail. Here we witnessed lunchtime at
the tadpole pond! Note: Some of these specimens have really dark heads; some have faint lateral striping; most have a dorsal stripe that
fades after the neck.
A B C D
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Garter Snake (spotted/striped laterals)
MATTHEW'S CREEK (SW Siskiyou County) July 19, 2007
I found this glutton eating a fish just downstream of where the creek empties into the So. Fk. of the Salmon River. It was 4:44PM, and the
weather was in the mid -80's F. Unfortunately, my approach startled the snake, and the fish was regurgitated. I decided to leave it alone.
The next morning the fish was gone, but this could have just as easily been the work of a nightly scavenger.
July 20, 2007
This colorful specimen was one of virtually countless neonates found cruising the shores of the river throughout the day. During this visit
to Matthew's Creek we noted that the adults were commonly found in shallow waters or calmer deeper waters; they avoided the rougher
waters upstream. Neonates strictly confined themselves to the shallows (feeding small prey fish or tadpoles); they would attempt to cross
deeper waters only if escape was necessary.
On the same day, while I was exploring a very small stretch of terrain west of the river, I came across my first true
example of a...
Mountain Garter Snake (bold yellow dorsal stripe)
This boldly-colored, high-definition snake is a classic portrayal of T. e. elegans. Sighted prey items in this habitat were Northwestern
Fence Lizards, mice (There were abundant rodent nests under logs.), Foothill Yellow-legged Frogs, and smaller snakes of course!
Recent studies have indicated that the highly aquatic atratus and couchii species are closely related to the highly terrestrial elegans
species. A few of the hydrophilus specimens I have come across have had such bold yellow dorsal stripes (as opposed to the common
bold laterals), I suspect there may be an occasional elegans influence; it should be noted, however that the Santa Cruz Garter (T. a. atratus)
which is found further south normally has bold stripes.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Garter Snake (Trinity County) : (yellow striped) NO FK TRINITY RIVER - near Helena, CA
(dull striped/spotted) TANGLE BLUE CREEK - off Hwy 3 : July 22, 2007
July 21, 2007 :
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Garter Snake (spotted morph) SOUTH FORK CHETCO RIVER - east of Brookings, OR July 28, 2007
We sighted a few examples of the spotted variant of this species a little further north of our normal areas of observation. Most were
neonates like the chomper pictured on the left. We did however witness the interesting behavior of a slightly older garter at 10:57 at night.
Garters are normally diurnal. It was one night before the full moon, and the evening temperatures were in the mid 70's F; apparently these
conditions were sufficient for a hunting endeavor. The snake eventually eluded my camera flash and disappeared into the depths of the
swimming hole. Potential prey included small sculpins, yellow-legged frogs, larval dicamptodon, and possibly newts (I am not certain
regarding atratus' immunity to newt toxins.); newts were in high concentrations throughout this portion of the river.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Valley Garter Snake EAST and UPPER BOULDER LAKES - NE Trinity Alps (Siskiyou County) August 3-4, 2007
We came across numerous Valley Garters on our trip to East Boulder this time. Most were all very young [A], but one [B] was a bit over 2
feet long and had eaten quite a meal.
[A] [B]
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Valley Garter Snake & Coast Garter Snake (red phase and muddled phase) August 23, 2007
HIDDEN BEACH - north of the Klamath River (Del Norte County)
My friend Brad, my daughter Kajdien and I were hiking the Hidden Beach Trail and discovered these 3 specimens right as the trail opened
up to the beach. All 3 snakes were found within a 3 foot radius. All looked as if they had recently eaten and had chosen some communal
basking spot. What luck! I scoured the borders between the beach and the base of the bluffs north ans south, and nowhere did I find any
other snakes! Specimen [A] was a full sized, may I say quite handsome, example of T. s. fitchi with some red in the head. Specimen [B]
was a typical T. e. terrestris (our local reds). Specimen [C] had the terrestris characteristics that often make me wonder at the possiblity of
hybridization.
[A] [B] [C]
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Garter (striped /"spotted" & one-eyed!) MATTHEW'S CREEK (We can't help ourselves! We love this place!)
(SW Siskiyou) September 3, 2007
Another trip to Matthew's Creek in late summer would have offered some great new photos, but I ran low on batteries. There were plenty of
neonates to be found. During this time of the year the river was much lower, and all of the sighted adults were found further upriver than
usual. Upriver usually entails deep pools with powerful rapids. These were now shallower, and the rapid flow of water was diminished. It
seemed likely that the adults were now hunting these pools because they could; there were no extreme currents that would continuously
push them downriver while they were in the water. Pacific Aquatics are powerful swimmers, but I am certain they have their limits in this
regard. Neonates remained near the shallows where tiny fish and tadpoles were abundant.
[A] [B] [C] "Lefty" - the one-eyed Oregon Garter came home with us!
________________________________________________________________________________________________
OSSEGON TRAIL - north of Fern Canyon, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (NW Humboldt) Sept. 21, 2007
GOLD BLUFF BEACH Campground - south of Fern Canyon Sept. 22, 2007
Valley Garter (neonate) Coast Garter (neonate) Northwestern Garter (adult)
Ossegon 9-21 Ossegon 9-21 Gold Bluff 9-22
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Northwestern Garter (near patternless brown morph) HUNTER CREEK - past Hunter Creek residential area
(southern Del Norte County) March 25, 2008
This nearly patternless "red-striped" morph was a treasure captured on film by my good friend Brad
Fisher. Brad says this variant is rather common in the Hunter Creek area. This species comes in a
variety of patterns and colors, and Del Norte County is home to a quite few of morphs.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
On two separate occasions in March, I had the opportunity to photograph two especially striking specimens!
The first was a wild-caught "blue" infernalis from Sonoma County. Except for lateral striping this snake was very reminiscent of T. s. tetrataenia,
the San Francisco Garter.
CA Red-sided Garter (with turqouise grays!) ( WC from Sonoma County) March 1, 2008
These pictures were taken March 1, 2008. This specimen has been captive for almost 11 years,
and as you can see by the flattened head display, it still has some attitude!
________________________________________________________________________________________________
The second specimen was presented to me by an HSU Wildlife student , who had caught it near Redwood Creek east of Orick, CA. This is within
Redwood National Park boundaries - and the fact that this was a questionable acquisition was reiterated. Either way, I took some pics of this
incredibly red Coast Garter. I am (ever) a bit perplexed at the small head of this specimen and the 7 upper labials. Hmmmm!
Coast Garter (northern Humboldt County) March 28, 2008
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CA Red-sided Garter HEADWATERS FOREST RESERVE / ELK RIVER (Humboldt County) April 18, 2008
My NW Natives plant taxonomy class crossed paths with this beauty near the
historical "town" of Faulk. This is the classic example for infernalis for our area. At
the north end of its range (south of Klamath River) it appears to show more black in the
head like fitchi. The coastal Klamath river is a likely intergrade zone. Brighter and
more red specimens of infernalis are typically found further south (Mendocino and beyond).
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OSSAGON TRAIL - (near Fern Canyon) (NW Humboldt County) April 25-26, 2008
My second trip to Ossagon could not have happened under better circumstances. I had been planning this trip for a while. Last November I met
Alan Francis (of www.gartersnake.co.uk) online, and he mentioned that he and some close friends were headed to the Pacific Northwest for some
avid nature photography. We kept in touch and coordinated a meeting at Gold Bluffs campground near Fern Canyon. Alan brought along Chris
Mattison (renowned herp author and photographer) from the U.K. and Philippe Blais (breeder of the "flame garter" line of T. s. sirtalis) from
Quebec. We were also joined by my good friend Brad Fisher, who cooked up 2 great dinners (grilled coho and campfire pizza from scratch!).
This was a wonderful opportunity for me to learn some professional herp photography techniques as well as absorb some fascinating insights
concerning the "hybrid" conundrum. We spent all day Saturday photographing herps. We found a total of 10 different species (reptiles and
amphibians). There was garter food everywhere! Alan, Chris, and Philippe were surprised to hear that the day's success surpassed my own
expectations. It was truthfully a day in herp heaven! Here are a few of the best garter pics.
Coast Garter (T. elegans terrestris)
CA Red-sided Garter (T. sirtalis infernalis)
Northwestern Garter (T. ordinoides)
Homo sapiens sapiens
HABITAT
________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAD RIVER FISH HATCHERY - (near West End Road) (Humboldt County) May 6, 2008
CA Red-side Garter X Coast? Coast Garter Northwestern Garter
____________________________________________________________________________________
Valley Garter (fitchi / infernalis intergrade) HUNTER CREEK
(Del Norte County) May 8, 2008 [photo by Brad Fisher]
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mountain Garter [off of] BLAIR ROAD EAST FORK WILLOW CREEK
(west of Hoopa) (eastern Humboldt County) (eastern Humboldt County)
May 9, 2008 May 10, 2008
____________________________________________________________________________________
near RYAN'S SLOUGH (behind Redwood Acres) (Humboldt County) May 12, 2008
My friend Brad and I came across numerous baby garters in a scattered bark pile on an old logging road bear Ryan's Slough.
CA Red-sided Garter Coast Garter
[We found one neonate and one yearling.] [We found 2 neonates (1 pictured) and 2 yearlings.]
____________________________________________________________________________________
Northwestern Garter HUNTER CREEK (at the end of residential strip) (Del Norte County) May 24-25, 2008
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mountain Garter near LORD ELLIS SUMMIT (Off Hwy 299)
(eastern Humboldt County) May 29, 2008
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAD RIVER PUMP STATION (b/n #1 & #2) (Humboldt County) May 29, 2008
Coast Garter Oregon Garter
___________________________________________________________________________________
Mountain / Oregon Garter? near VAN DUZEN RIVER
(off of Hwy 36 near Grizzly Creek Redwoods)
(Humboldt County) June 4, 2008
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Northwestern Garter HUNTER CREEK revisited (Del Norte County) June 5, 2008
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Coast / Mountain Intergrade
near SWIMMER'S DELIGHT, VAN DUZEN RIVER
(Hwy 36) (Humboldt County) June 14, 2008
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NORTH FORK SALMON RIVER - 5 miles east of Forks of the Salmon, CA (Siskiyou County) June 17, 2007
A sudden stop for a dip in the North Fork of the Salmon during the late afternoon revealed a great opportunity to witness feeding behavior of
a Pacific Coast Aquatic Garter. My wife Kim spotted this large spotted Oregon Garter [A] eating its favorite meal - a larval Dicamptodon.
This was our first actual sighting of the spotted variation. This was an impressive snake! A full-grown adult with a (may I be so bold?)
bad-ass demeanor. This pattern variation which often has background highlights of light blues or greens offers exceptional camouflage for
when the snake is under water.
A B
We also found a more drab "spotted/striped" specimen [B] in the same area. This one had "battle" scars!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Garter Snake (spotted/striped) T. a. hydrophilus
MATTHEW'S CREEK
- campground above South Fork of Salmon River
(Siskiyou County) June 23-24, 2007
We found quite a few juveniles (5) of the striped/spotted variation here again this year. We also spotted 2 adults which were quick to dive
into waters beyond my lens; one of them had what appeared to be a partially decomposed fish in its mouth. Most of the activity witnessed
occurred mid-morning and late afternoon. Some of the youngsters were quite feisty! 3 are pictured.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Mountain Garter? T. e. elegans?
HOGAN LAKE
- Russian Wilderness (Siskiyou County) June 26-28, 2007
This was my second trip to Hogan Lake, and I was happy to find evidence of a garter here. The elevation is about 6,000 ft. I collected this
larger shed under a rock on a north-facing slope 20 ft up from the lake. Since there was no sign of snakes in the water (day's temp. in low
80's F) my guess was this was a Mountain Garter. The lake offers baby trout, and possibly Rough-skinned Newts (Are Western Terrestrial
Garters immune too?), and frogs (heard a few at night, never saw any). Although we didn't find any in the rocks around the lake, Western
Sagebrush Lizards were sighted in the sunny forested slopes nearby.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Coast Garter (possible infernalis hybrid?)
Oregon Garter
SWIMMER'S DELIGHT - Van Duzen River southeast of Carlotta, CA (Hwy 36) (Humboldt County) July 1, 2007
We spotted two garters upriver from Swimmer's Delight in the late afternoon (high 70's F). The first was once again a mystery. I'm inclined
to believe that example (A) is a hybrid between the California Red-sided Garter and the Coast Garter. Both fit the geography. The anterior
light laterals (merged with the belly) speak T. s. infernalis. The orange ventral spots and wayward reds and blacks on the upper
background scream T. e. terrestris. Please note that this conjecture may only be species variability.
T. e. terrrestris T. a. hydrophilus
Our 2nd discovery (B) was a baby Oregon Garter - a striped variant with just a hint of the beautiful blue-geen grays.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Garter Snake (spotted/striped) T. a. hydrophilus
STUART FORK CREEK and SAPPHIRE LAKE - Trinity Alps (Trinity County) July 4-9, 2007
This was 6-day excursion into the Trinity Alps along Stuart Fork Creek. Our destination was Emerald and Sapphire Lakes. Our base camp
was made at Portuguese Camp about 11 3/4 miles from the trailhead and 3 3/4 miles up from Morris Meadows at the Deer Creek trailhead.
On the 6th of July, when we visited the lakes, I was surprised to see a baby Oregon Garter (A) there. I always associate this species with
swift moving rivers and creeks; the northern shores of Sapphire Lake were a rather calm as well as a mostly barren place for this snake.
The next day when we decided to "hike" in Stuart Fork Creek up and down-stream from our camp, we quickly realized the little guy was
perhaps just as upstream as you could go. Here along the Stuart Fork we found 2 adults (B & C) and a sub-adult (no picture). These
specimens all resemble the spotted/ striped phases we've seen along the So. Fk. of the Salmon River. The South Fork is born out of the
Trinity alps, but it is geographically separated from the Stuart Fork Creek watershed. Before the creation of Trinity Lake, the Stuart Fork fed
the Trinity River directly; both the Trinity and the Salmon empty into the Klamath River from different directions; this is a very long winding
game of connect the dots where watersheds and mountain barriers are concerned. I suspect a history of up and down-stream migration.
A B C
A reminder: Oregon Garters just love to bite!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Garter Snake (spotted with occasional lateral stripes)
SOUTH FORK SMITH RIVER - Near both Redwood Flat Trail and Hurdygurdy Creek (Big Flat) (DelNorte County) July 14-15, 2007
My wife Kim and I found 2 two baby Oregon Garters (A & B) along the So. Fk. of the Smith River right across where it is fed by Hurdygurdy
Creek (late afternoon). The next day we sighted 2 more (C & D) downstream near the Redwood Flat Trail. Here we witnessed lunchtime at
the tadpole pond! Note: Some of these specimens have really dark heads; some have faint lateral striping; most have a dorsal stripe that
fades after the neck.
A B C D
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Garter Snake (spotted/striped laterals)
MATTHEW'S CREEK (SW Siskiyou County) July 19, 2007
I found this glutton eating a fish just downstream of where the creek empties into the So. Fk. of the Salmon River. It was 4:44PM, and the
weather was in the mid -80's F. Unfortunately, my approach startled the snake, and the fish was regurgitated. I decided to leave it alone.
The next morning the fish was gone, but this could have just as easily been the work of a nightly scavenger.
July 20, 2007
This colorful specimen was one of virtually countless neonates found cruising the shores of the river throughout the day. During this visit
to Matthew's Creek we noted that the adults were commonly found in shallow waters or calmer deeper waters; they avoided the rougher
waters upstream. Neonates strictly confined themselves to the shallows (feeding small prey fish or tadpoles); they would attempt to cross
deeper waters only if escape was necessary.
On the same day, while I was exploring a very small stretch of terrain west of the river, I came across my first true
example of a...
Mountain Garter Snake (bold yellow dorsal stripe)
This boldly-colored, high-definition snake is a classic portrayal of T. e. elegans. Sighted prey items in this habitat were Northwestern
Fence Lizards, mice (There were abundant rodent nests under logs.), Foothill Yellow-legged Frogs, and smaller snakes of course!
Recent studies have indicated that the highly aquatic atratus and couchii species are closely related to the highly terrestrial elegans
species. A few of the hydrophilus specimens I have come across have had such bold yellow dorsal stripes (as opposed to the common
bold laterals), I suspect there may be an occasional elegans influence; it should be noted, however that the Santa Cruz Garter (T. a. atratus)
which is found further south normally has bold stripes.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Garter Snake (Trinity County) : (yellow striped) NO FK TRINITY RIVER - near Helena, CA
(dull striped/spotted) TANGLE BLUE CREEK - off Hwy 3 : July 22, 2007
July 21, 2007 :
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Garter Snake (spotted morph) SOUTH FORK CHETCO RIVER - east of Brookings, OR July 28, 2007
We sighted a few examples of the spotted variant of this species a little further north of our normal areas of observation. Most were
neonates like the chomper pictured on the left. We did however witness the interesting behavior of a slightly older garter at 10:57 at night.
Garters are normally diurnal. It was one night before the full moon, and the evening temperatures were in the mid 70's F; apparently these
conditions were sufficient for a hunting endeavor. The snake eventually eluded my camera flash and disappeared into the depths of the
swimming hole. Potential prey included small sculpins, yellow-legged frogs, larval dicamptodon, and possibly newts (I am not certain
regarding atratus' immunity to newt toxins.); newts were in high concentrations throughout this portion of the river.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Valley Garter Snake EAST and UPPER BOULDER LAKES - NE Trinity Alps (Siskiyou County) August 3-4, 2007
We came across numerous Valley Garters on our trip to East Boulder this time. Most were all very young [A], but one [B] was a bit over 2
feet long and had eaten quite a meal.
[A] [B]
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Valley Garter Snake & Coast Garter Snake (red phase and muddled phase) August 23, 2007
HIDDEN BEACH - north of the Klamath River (Del Norte County)
My friend Brad, my daughter Kajdien and I were hiking the Hidden Beach Trail and discovered these 3 specimens right as the trail opened
up to the beach. All 3 snakes were found within a 3 foot radius. All looked as if they had recently eaten and had chosen some communal
basking spot. What luck! I scoured the borders between the beach and the base of the bluffs north ans south, and nowhere did I find any
other snakes! Specimen [A] was a full sized, may I say quite handsome, example of T. s. fitchi with some red in the head. Specimen [B]
was a typical T. e. terrestris (our local reds). Specimen [C] had the terrestris characteristics that often make me wonder at the possiblity of
hybridization.
[A] [B] [C]
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Garter (striped /"spotted" & one-eyed!) MATTHEW'S CREEK (We can't help ourselves! We love this place!)
(SW Siskiyou) September 3, 2007
Another trip to Matthew's Creek in late summer would have offered some great new photos, but I ran low on batteries. There were plenty of
neonates to be found. During this time of the year the river was much lower, and all of the sighted adults were found further upriver than
usual. Upriver usually entails deep pools with powerful rapids. These were now shallower, and the rapid flow of water was diminished. It
seemed likely that the adults were now hunting these pools because they could; there were no extreme currents that would continuously
push them downriver while they were in the water. Pacific Aquatics are powerful swimmers, but I am certain they have their limits in this
regard. Neonates remained near the shallows where tiny fish and tadpoles were abundant.
[A] [B] [C] "Lefty" - the one-eyed Oregon Garter came home with us!
________________________________________________________________________________________________
OSSEGON TRAIL - north of Fern Canyon, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (NW Humboldt) Sept. 21, 2007
GOLD BLUFF BEACH Campground - south of Fern Canyon Sept. 22, 2007
Valley Garter (neonate) Coast Garter (neonate) Northwestern Garter (adult)
Ossegon 9-21 Ossegon 9-21 Gold Bluff 9-22
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Northwestern Garter (near patternless brown morph) HUNTER CREEK - past Hunter Creek residential area
(southern Del Norte County) March 25, 2008
This nearly patternless "red-striped" morph was a treasure captured on film by my good friend Brad
Fisher. Brad says this variant is rather common in the Hunter Creek area. This species comes in a
variety of patterns and colors, and Del Norte County is home to a quite few of morphs.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
On two separate occasions in March, I had the opportunity to photograph two especially striking specimens!
The first was a wild-caught "blue" infernalis from Sonoma County. Except for lateral striping this snake was very reminiscent of T. s. tetrataenia,
the San Francisco Garter.
CA Red-sided Garter (with turqouise grays!) ( WC from Sonoma County) March 1, 2008
These pictures were taken March 1, 2008. This specimen has been captive for almost 11 years,
and as you can see by the flattened head display, it still has some attitude!
________________________________________________________________________________________________
The second specimen was presented to me by an HSU Wildlife student , who had caught it near Redwood Creek east of Orick, CA. This is within
Redwood National Park boundaries - and the fact that this was a questionable acquisition was reiterated. Either way, I took some pics of this
incredibly red Coast Garter. I am (ever) a bit perplexed at the small head of this specimen and the 7 upper labials. Hmmmm!
Coast Garter (northern Humboldt County) March 28, 2008
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CA Red-sided Garter HEADWATERS FOREST RESERVE / ELK RIVER (Humboldt County) April 18, 2008
My NW Natives plant taxonomy class crossed paths with this beauty near the
historical "town" of Faulk. This is the classic example for infernalis for our area. At
the north end of its range (south of Klamath River) it appears to show more black in the
head like fitchi. The coastal Klamath river is a likely intergrade zone. Brighter and
more red specimens of infernalis are typically found further south (Mendocino and beyond).
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OSSAGON TRAIL - (near Fern Canyon) (NW Humboldt County) April 25-26, 2008
My second trip to Ossagon could not have happened under better circumstances. I had been planning this trip for a while. Last November I met
Alan Francis (of www.gartersnake.co.uk) online, and he mentioned that he and some close friends were headed to the Pacific Northwest for some
avid nature photography. We kept in touch and coordinated a meeting at Gold Bluffs campground near Fern Canyon. Alan brought along Chris
Mattison (renowned herp author and photographer) from the U.K. and Philippe Blais (breeder of the "flame garter" line of T. s. sirtalis) from
Quebec. We were also joined by my good friend Brad Fisher, who cooked up 2 great dinners (grilled coho and campfire pizza from scratch!).
This was a wonderful opportunity for me to learn some professional herp photography techniques as well as absorb some fascinating insights
concerning the "hybrid" conundrum. We spent all day Saturday photographing herps. We found a total of 10 different species (reptiles and
amphibians). There was garter food everywhere! Alan, Chris, and Philippe were surprised to hear that the day's success surpassed my own
expectations. It was truthfully a day in herp heaven! Here are a few of the best garter pics.
Coast Garter (T. elegans terrestris)
CA Red-sided Garter (T. sirtalis infernalis)
Northwestern Garter (T. ordinoides)
Homo sapiens sapiens
HABITAT
________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAD RIVER FISH HATCHERY - (near West End Road) (Humboldt County) May 6, 2008
CA Red-side Garter X Coast? Coast Garter Northwestern Garter
____________________________________________________________________________________
Valley Garter (fitchi / infernalis intergrade) HUNTER CREEK
(Del Norte County) May 8, 2008 [photo by Brad Fisher]
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mountain Garter [off of] BLAIR ROAD EAST FORK WILLOW CREEK
(west of Hoopa) (eastern Humboldt County) (eastern Humboldt County)
May 9, 2008 May 10, 2008
____________________________________________________________________________________
near RYAN'S SLOUGH (behind Redwood Acres) (Humboldt County) May 12, 2008
My friend Brad and I came across numerous baby garters in a scattered bark pile on an old logging road bear Ryan's Slough.
CA Red-sided Garter Coast Garter
[We found one neonate and one yearling.] [We found 2 neonates (1 pictured) and 2 yearlings.]
____________________________________________________________________________________
Northwestern Garter HUNTER CREEK (at the end of residential strip) (Del Norte County) May 24-25, 2008
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mountain Garter near LORD ELLIS SUMMIT (Off Hwy 299)
(eastern Humboldt County) May 29, 2008
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAD RIVER PUMP STATION (b/n #1 & #2) (Humboldt County) May 29, 2008
Coast Garter Oregon Garter
___________________________________________________________________________________
Mountain / Oregon Garter? near VAN DUZEN RIVER
(off of Hwy 36 near Grizzly Creek Redwoods)
(Humboldt County) June 4, 2008
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Northwestern Garter HUNTER CREEK revisited (Del Norte County) June 5, 2008
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Coast / Mountain Intergrade
near SWIMMER'S DELIGHT, VAN DUZEN RIVER
(Hwy 36) (Humboldt County) June 14, 2008
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Coast Garter (brown "olive" morph)
[with possible layering of unshed
facial scales - unknown condition]
[with possible layering of unshed
facial scales - unknown condition]
Coast Garter - beautiful brown morph!
Coast Garter -
(brown "olive" morph)
(brown "olive" morph)
Coast Garter (brown "olive" morph with dorsal &
ventral red flecking; note also the 7 upper labials
[5th & 6th - fused])
ventral red flecking; note also the 7 upper labials
[5th & 6th - fused])
California Red-sided Garter (presence of both black and red on the head and
darker lateral stripes, a common trait among sirtalis north and south of the
Klamath River, reflects an intergrade zone between fitchi and infernalis)
darker lateral stripes, a common trait among sirtalis north and south of the
Klamath River, reflects an intergrade zone between fitchi and infernalis)
This Northwestern Garter is the best
specimen I have come across where
ordinoides' southern range is concerned.
specimen I have come across where
ordinoides' southern range is concerned.
[This range may stretch down to Trinidad, McKinleyville,
and along the Mad River up to Korbel]
and along the Mad River up to Korbel]
L - R: Philippe Blais, MD; Alan Francis, MD; Steven
Krause; Bradley Fisher; and Chris Mattison
Krause; Bradley Fisher; and Chris Mattison
This area was a hot spot for Ranids, Pseudacris, Abystoma gracile, Plethodontids, Taricha, Bufo, as well as Sceloporus and Elgaria.
Along with the mice under the driftwood in the dunes... There was garter prey everywhere!
Along with the mice under the driftwood in the dunes... There was garter prey everywhere!
