![]() Northeastern New England, Quebec, and the Maritime provinces. pallidulus Allen, 1899 – maritime garter snake semifasciatus ( Cope, 1892) – Chicago garter snake tetrataenia ( Cope, 1875) – San Francisco garter snake ( endangered) Northwestern Washington, Vancouver Island and the southwestern British Columbia pickeringii ( Baird & Girard, 1853) – Puget Sound garter snake dorsalis ( Baird & Girard, 1853) – New Mexico garter snake Northwestern Oregon and southwestern Washington concinnus ( Hallowell, 1852) – red-spotted garter snake infernalis ( Blainville, 1835) – California red-sided garter snake parietalis ( Say, 1823) – red-sided garter snakeĪs far north as Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, and as far south as the Oklahoma-Texas border sirtalis ( Linnaeus, 1758) – eastern garter snake Subspecies Ĭurrent scientific classification recognizes 13 subspecies (ordered by date): Image ![]() This helps maintain polymorphism within garter snake populations. sirtalis is selected against because the mutation causes lower average population fitness. In populations where tetrodotoxin is absent in T. granulosa contain the lowest levels of tetrodotoxin resistance, while those that do live in the same area have the highest levels of tetrodotoxin resistance. sirtalis that do not live in areas that contain T. sirtalis, patches occur that correspond to strong coevolution, as well as weak or absent coevolution. Along the entire geographical interaction of T. The antipredator display that this species uses demonstrates the idea of an "arms race" between different species and their antipredator displays. Consuming the toxin can lead to reduced speed and sometimes no movement for extended periods of time, along with impaired thermoregulation. While resistance to tetrodotoxin is beneficial in acquiring newt prey, costs are associated with it as well. It seems that the two species were in an evolutionary arms race. Those that were exposed to and lived in the same environment as the newts ( Taricha granulosa) or rough-skinned newt, that produce tetrodotoxin when eaten were more immune to the toxin (see figure). A study on the evolutionary development of resistance of tetrodotoxin compared two populations of Thamnophis and then tested inside a population of T. On the defensive side, the snake uses its resistance to toxicity to provide an important antipredator capability. On the offensive side, the snake's venom can be toxic to some of its smaller prey, such as mice and other rodents. The common garter snake uses toxicity for both offense and defense. They have the ability to absorb the toxin from the newts into their bodies, making them poisonous, which can deter potential predators. Common garter snakes may also secrete a foul-smelling fluid from postanal glands when handled or harmed.Ĭommon garter snakes are resistant to naturally found poisons such as that of the American toad and rough-skinned newt, the latter of which can kill a human if ingested. For humans, a bite is not dangerous, though it may cause slight itching, burning, and/or swelling. Garter snakes have a mild venom in their saliva. The saliva of a common garter snake may be toxic to amphibians and other small animals. Venom Tetrodotoxin effects in garter snakes On warm winter afternoons, some snakes have been observed emerging from their hibernacula to bask in the sun. In warmer southern areas, the snake is active year-round otherwise, it sleeps in common dens, sometimes in great numbers. In summer, it is most active in the morning and late afternoon in cooler seasons or climates, it restricts its activity to the warm afternoons. The common garter snake is a diurnal snake. Common garter snakes come in a wide range of colors, including green, blue, yellow, gold, red, orange, brown, and black. Most have longitudinal stripes in many different colors. Few grow over about 4 ft (1.2 m) long, and most stay smaller. Description Ĭommon garter snakes are thin snakes. The common garter snake is the state reptile of Massachusetts. Most common garter snakes have a pattern of yellow stripes on a black, brown or green background, and their average total length (including tail) is about 55 cm (22 in), with a maximum total length of about 137 cm (54 in). The species is indigenous to North America and found widely across the continent. The common garter snake ( Thamnophis sirtalis) is a species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae.
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