News
Spring Photos of Garter Snakes, 2010 Edition
Garter snakes’ spring emergence largely depends on how early spring comes in their area. Sometimes it’s as early as February and March, as you can see from this Flickr gallery, which I’ve assembled from some of the best garter snake photography so far this year.
I’m still waiting for photos — or any word, actually — from the Narcisse Snake Dens in Manitoba. Henk von Pickartz paid the dens a visit last weekend, and took lots of photos, but reports that the snakes have yet to come out in great numbers.
Merced to Create Giant Garter Snake Habitat, Snakes Hopefully Will Arrive Later
The city of Merced, California is paying nearly $400,000 to create habitat for the endangered Giant Garter Snake in a location where that species is not currently found, the Merced Sun-Star reports. The purchase and creation of the habitat is meant to offset the expansion of a wastewater treatment plant in an area identified as garter snake habitat. The company building the land bank says that the snakes will come once it’s built.
Three New Mexican Garter Snake Species Described in 2005
Three additional species of garter snake were identified in a 2005 research paper. In their paper, “Species limits within the Mexican garter snakes of the Thamnophis godmani complex,” published in no. 79 of the Occasional Papers of the Museum of Natural Science and available as a PDF online, Douglas Rossman and Frank Burbrink argue that four populations of garter snake in central Mexico previously identified as Godman’s Garter Snake, Thamnophis godmani, are in fact four distinct species. This conclusion is based on the fact that the four populations are apparently isolated and morphologically distinct from one another. New, then, are Thamnophis bogerti and lineri, from the Mexican state of Oaxaca, and Thamnophis conanti, from the Puebla-Veracruz border. Entries in the Species Guide for these three species are forthcoming. Thanks to Stefan Allen for the tip.
A New Plan for Sharp Park Golf Course and the San Francisco Garter
San Francisco’s Recreation and Parks Department has proposed a “Solomonic” solution to the fate of Sharp Park Golf Course, owned by the City of San Francisco but contained within nearby Pacifica and habitat for the San Francisco Garter Snake. Environmentalists wanted the golf course restored to its natural state; the Department recommends keeping the course open, but with some modifications to accomodate the snake.
The Best Garter Snake Photos of the Year
Recently, I put together a gallery of photos on Flickr that represented, I thought, some of the best in garter snake photography from the past year. There are 16 photos (so far; I have room for two more), taken from March to October, covering the continent from New England and Quebec to the Pacific Coast. Common Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) make the most appearances, but there are a few Western Terrestrial Garter Snakes (T. elegans) and one photo of Two-striped Garter Snakes (T. hammondii). They’ve been caught emerging from hibernation, eating, and engaging in courtship. Some of the photos you will remember from this article. And lest you think all of these photos were taken by pros with expensive gear, many of these awesome shots were taken with consumer-grade cameras. Enjoy!
Garter Snakes Invade Seniors’ Home in Manitoba
Residents of a seniors complex are complaining about an invasion of garter snakes, which are turning up all over the place in their apartments. The trouble is, the apartment complex is in Inwood, Manitoba. This is a town that has a statue dedicated to the Red-sided Garter Snake (right); it’s only a few kilometres south of the famous Narcisse Snake Dens, and, if my visit there three years ago is any indication, is not exactly short of garter snakes itself. They are, in other words, an acknowledged tourist attraction; I’m surprised the residents didn’t get the memo. CBC News, Globe and Mail, Winnipeg Free Press, Winnipeg Sun.
Update: The province will repair cracks in the building’s foundation, starting next week.
Three Evolutionary Routes to Newt Toxin Immunity
Three different garter snake species took different evolutionary paths to arrive at immunity to newt toxins, a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science has found. The species in question are the Pacific Coast Aquatic Garter Snake (Thamnophis atratus), the Sierra Garter Snake (T. couchii) and the Common Garter Snake (T. sirtalis), all of which can swallow enough tetrodotoxin to kill a human being several times over when they eat a newt from the genus Taricha.
Previously: Garter Snakes Win Arms Race with Newts.
Giant Garter Snake Population Rediscovered
A biologist’s study of the 13 historic subpopulations of Giant Garter Snake (Thamnophis gigas) to see how many still exist has turned up a population of them in a wetland north of Stockton, California. It’s the first time in 15 years that they’ve been spotted in San Joaquin County, the Stockton Record reports. Eric C. Hansen’s research also confirms that 11 of the 13 historic subpopulations are still going concerns: good news for the threatened reptile.
Golf Course Targeted for Garter Snake Habitat Restoration
Environmental groups want a golf course owned by the City of San Francisco (but located in the nearby city of Pacifica) restored to its natural state to preserve habitat for the San Francisco Garter Snake and its main prey, the California Red-legged Frog. The San Francisco Examiner reported last month that legislation to do just that was introduced, as part of negotiations between the City and the Center for Biological Diversity, who have threatened a lawsuit over the issue. Debate on the proposal continues.
SF Examiner on the Narcisse Snake Dens
The Narcisse Snake Dens of Manitoba get some attention from San Francisco, of all places — the San Francisco Examiner has a two-part feature this week on a visit to the dens, which presumably occurred before this year’s season: part one, part two. Bob Ecker’s tale does contain a couple of biological boners, though. Garter snakes have two hemipenes not in case one of them breaks off, but because they evolved that way; all snakes and lizards are like that. And the musky odour emitted by snakes is not because they’re aroused; it’s a defence mechanism. Let’s just say that I’ve been around a lot of aroused garter snakes. And pheromones aren’t something you can smell. Even so, interesting to see this story.
Narcisse Garter Snakes Will Be Late This Year
Red-sided Garter Snakes at the Narcisse Snake Dens will be a little late emerging from hibernation this year, the Winnipeg Free Press reports. Normally out by the first weekend in April, the snakes are not expected to be “worth the trip” until early May, says a Manitoba government biologist — a result of the extended cold over the past winter. A status page lets potential visitors know whether there’s any action going on at the dens.
Volunteers Monitor Calgary Park Garter Snake Population
Young volunteers with the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society in Calgary are monitoring the park’s garter snake population, the Calgary Herald reports. “‘Each spring the park sets up 10 wooden traps that catch the snakes as they move from the hibernaculum to the creek,’ says the children’s mother, Jennifer Brown. Teams of volunteers visit the traps twice a day, seven days a week, in all types of weather. The monitoring takes place from April to June, though the exact timing depends on the spring thaw.”
Fate of San Francisco Garter Snake Depends on Frog
The San Mateo County Times looks at conservation efforts to help two threatened species in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area’s Mori Point site: the Red-legged Frog and the San Francisco Garter Snake. “The relationship between the two species is fragile. When the population of the frog declines, so does the population of the snake.” Conservation efforts to ensure a healthy frog population therefore help preserve the snake population.
Garter Snakes Win Arms Race with Newts
Research on garter snakes’ resistance to tetrodotoxin (TTX), the toxic secretions of the Rough-skinned Newt (Taricha granulosa), continues. As far as the toxic arms race is concerned, a new study published today suggests that the garter snakes are winning. While the most toxic newts are found in the same areas as the most TTX-resistant snakes, the study also found that in one-third of the areas, even the least resistant snakes could manage the most toxic newts. This suggests that there is no pressure for the snakes to evolve even greater resistance; the study argues that there are few snake genes involved in toxin resistance, allowing it to evolve quickly. The biologic limits of the newt itself is another factor: TTX is secreted away in the amphibian’s skin, but is toxic to the newt itself, which limits the amount that can be produced. Science Daily, Times Online.
Previously: Garter Snakes Absorb Newt Toxins as a Defence Against Birds; Newts, Garter Snakes Engaged in Toxic Arms Race at Molecular Level.
Children’s Books About Garter Snakes
Two children’s books featuring garter snakes have recently come to my attention — both, coincidentally, by Canadians.
The Serpent’s Spell by Rae Bridgman is a fantasy novel: two young sorcerers must solve the mystery of who is responsible for the deaths of snakes at the Narcisse snake dens; ages 9-12 and up. I’ve got a copy on order and should have more to say about this book shortly.
Vernon and the Snake by Crystal J. Stranaghan is aimed at ages 4-9. “[Vernon] just wants to play, but comes across a garter snake in his backyard. He suits up, ready to do battle — but there’s another side of the story,” the the Parksville Qualicum News reports. “Stranaghan provides two points of view: Vernon’s and the snake’s. One just has to flip over the book to see what the snake thinks of Vernon. Eventually, the two find a way to live peacefully together by learning about each other — a valuable lesson which can be applied elsewhere.”
Buy The Serpent’s Spell and Vernon and the Snake at Amazon.com.
Garter Snake Bites Man, Cops Issue Advisory
HALIFAX — How far removed from nature have we as human beings become? Halifax police have issued an advisory after a Dartmouth man was bitten by what was likely a large, female melanistic Maritime Garter Snake. The man checked into hospital after suffering some reactions, which has happened to a few people bitten by garter snakes. (There are no venomous snakes in Nova Scotia.) But think of it: a police advisory over a garter snake bite. Seriously, people: stop being afraid of the outdoors.
Update: It may not be this simple: the Canadian Press report suggests that, with Halifax being a port city, it’s possible that it might be an exotic species and something more dangerous, rather than someone taking the vapours because a garter snake bit them. But you know how subjective and unreliable snake sighting reports can be.
Seven Wonders of Canada: Narcisse Snake Dens
Seven Wonders of Canada is one of those sorta-lame megaprojects the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation comes up with from time to time; I was all set to ignore it until it was pointed out to me that one of the nominees is the Narcisse Snake Dens. Admittedly, there are a great many nominees, so don’t get your hopes up.
A Visit to a Manitoba Snake Den
In a feature in the travel section of today’s Globe and Mail, Alan Sirulnikoff writes about his experience visiting a snake den near Inwood, Manitoba during the (famous) spring emergence of Red-sided Garter Snakes. (Note that he was not at the well-documented Narcisse Snake Dens, but at another, nearby site.) Refreshingly unsquicky in attitude: “I kneel on the dusty ground trying to compose a photo amid the squirming life. Soon, I feel the smooth, silky undersides of several snakes as they glide across my bare legs. Yes, I could freak out, but it’s all so non-threatening as these serpents treat me as just another part of the landscape. Besides, it feels good.” There are also photos.
Snakes in a Bathroom, Residence Foundation Patched
UNIVERSITY CENTER, MI — Work crews were called in to patch the foundation and add aluminum cladding around a residence complex at Saginaw Valley State University after four garter snakes were found in an apartment bathroom, the Saginaw News reports. Temporary accomodations were provided while the snakes were removed and the building sealed. For garter snakes.
Bangor Daily News Interviews Robert Mason
Oregon State University zoology professor Robert T. Mason — himself the subject of a children’s book about garter snakes, The Snake Scientist by Sy Montgomery — is in Maine this week to give presentations on our favourite reptiles. The Bangor Daily News has an interview. The paper asks Mason, why garter snakes? “They are the perfect ambassador for the reptile world. You can go out on a sunny day in the spring or summer, and a little stripy snake goes slithering by, and you can pick it up. They don’t usually bite. It would hurt more to pick blackberries. They’re very gentle.”
Older Entries
- Wisconsin DNR Reduces Areas for Butler’s Garter (March 29, 2007)
- Garter Snakes Absorb Newt Toxins as a Defence Against Birds (February 14, 2007)
- Developer, Snakes Swap Land for Subdivisions, Habitat (February 11, 2007)
- Cabin Tenant Kills Garter Snakes, Sues Landlord (January 16, 2007)
- Garter Snake Now Massachusetts State Reptile (January 4, 2007)
- Butler’s Garter Won’t Be De-Listed in Wisconsin (November 30, 2006)
- Butler’s Garter Controversy Goes National (September 30, 2006)
- Snakes in a Graveyard (September 27, 2006)
- Snakes in a Basement (September 27, 2006)
- Mexican Garter Snake Denied ESA Protection (September 26, 2006)
- Pheromones and Garter Snakes (September 4, 2006)
- Massachusetts to Name Garter Snake as State Reptile (August 22, 2006)
- Legislature Threatens to De-List Butler’s Garter (July 28, 2006)
- Snakes … in a Car! (July 14, 2006)
- Largest Red-sided Garter Captured (May 17, 2006)
- Listing the Mexican Garter as Endangered (May 11, 2006)
- Garter Snakes Emerge in Manitoba (April 30, 2006)
- Garter Snakes Emerge in Northwest Territories (April 21, 2006)
- Butler’s Garters an Obstacle to Hospital Construction (March 9, 2006)
- Mori Point Environmental Assessment Released (March 9, 2006)
- USFWS to Review Mexican Garter Snake (January 4, 2006)
- Manitoba Garter Snake Road Mortality Reduced (September 16, 2005)
- Garter Snake Found in Alaska (September 7, 2005)
- USFWS Will Consider Protecting Mexican Garter Snake (August 23, 2005)
- Wyoming Resident Complains About Garter Snakes in Yard (August 21, 2005)
- San Francisco Garter Snakes Return to SF Zoo (June 2, 2005)
- Conservation Group Sues USFWS over Garter Snake Status (May 17, 2005)
- Environmental Triage for Butler’s Garters in Wisconsin (May 10, 2005)
- Sacramento Airport Buys 300 Acres of Giant Garter Habitat (April 25, 2005)
- Narcisse Garter Snakes Out Early (April 22, 2005)
- Newts, Garter Snakes Engaged in Toxic Arms Race at Molecular Level (April 6, 2005)
- Highway Project Includes Ecopassages for Butler’s Garters (April 4, 2005)
- Sewerage District, Construction Firm Face Charges for Disturbing Butler’s Garter Habitat (March 18, 2005)
- San Francisco Garter Focus of Mori Point Open House (September 29, 2004)
- Northern Ribbon Snakes Discovered in Quebec (September 26, 2004)
- Garter Snakes Infest Illinois Neighbourhood (September 17, 2004)
- Checkered Garter Stolen from Community Farm (September 16, 2004)
North American Watersnakes
Garter and Ribbon Snakes