Garter snake
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225701918
2008-07-14T23:54:34Z
SchfiftyThree
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/69.248.76.213|69.248.76.213]] to last version by MattieTK (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
{{Unreferenced|date=November 2007}}
{{Taxobox
| name = garter snake
| image = Thamnophis elegans terrestris (1).jpg
| image_size = 240px
| image_caption = Coast garter snake<br/>''Thamnophis elegans terrestris''
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Reptile|Reptilia]]
| ordo = [[Squamata]]
| subordo = [[Serpentes]]
| familia = [[Colubridae]]
| genus = '''''Thamnophis'''''
| genus_authority = [[Leopold Fitzinger|Fitzinger]], [[1843]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = See [[Thamnophis#Taxonomy|Taxonomy section]].
}}
A '''garter snake''' is any [[species]] of [[North America|North American]] [[snake]] within the [[genus]] ''Thamnophis''. Because of the similarity in sound of the words, combined with where people often see them, they are sometimes called '''garden snakes''' or '''gardner snakes'''. They are harmless to humans.
Garter snakes are common across North America, from [[Canada]] to [[Central America]]. They are the single most widely distributed species of [[reptile]] in North America, and are a common sight in American gardens, giving rise to the "garden snake" nickname. In fact, the common garter snake, ''T. sirtalis'', is the only species of snake to be found in [[Alaska]], and is 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 [[biome]]s 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. However, in the western part of North America, these snakes are more water loving than in 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 [[bullfrog]]s and [[bass (fish)|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]] and has a red and orange colored pattern on its back. Predation by [[crayfish]] has also been responsible for the decline of the narrow head garter snake, ''T. rufipunctatus''.
There is no real consensus exactly how many species of ''Thamnophis'' there are, and disagreement among [[taxonomy|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.
== 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 earned its common name because people described the stripes as resembling a [[Garter (stockings)|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. The average lifespan is 5 years.
== Diet ==
[[Image: Garter_swallowing_frog.jpg |thumb|250px| A Garter snake eating a frog]]
Garter snakes, like all snakes, are carnivorous. Their diet consists of almost any creature that they are capable of overpowering: [[slug]]s, [[earthworm]]s, [[insect]]s, [[leech|leeches]], [[lizard]]s, [[spiders]], [[amphibian]]s, [[bird]]s, [[fish]], and [[rodent]]s. When living near the water, they will eat other aquatic animals. The [[ribbon snake]] in particular favors [[frog]]s (including [[tadpole]]s), readily eating them despite their strong chemical defenses.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Food is swallowed whole. Garter snakes often adapt to eat whatever they can find. Although they dine mostly upon live [[animal]]s, they will sometimes eat eggs.They also eat other snakes for survival.
== Behavior ==
[[Image: Gartersnake2128.JPG |thumb|250px|A young Garter snake]]
Garter snakes of all species are [[Wiktionary: gregarious|gregarious]] (when not in [[Wiktionary: brumation|brumation]] 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 male garter snakes produce both male and female pheromones. During mating season, this fact fools other males into attempting to mate with these "she-males". She-males have been shown to garner more copulations than normal males in the mating balls that form at the den when females emerge into the mating melee.
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 the [[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. [[Hawk]]s, [[crow]]s, [[raccoon]]s, [[crayfish]] and other snake species (such as the [[coral snake]] and [[king snake]]) will eat garter snakes, with even [[shrew]]s and frogs eating the juveniles.
Being [[heterothermic]], like all [[reptile]]s, garter snakes bask in the sun to keep their body temperature warm (at 28 to 32 degrees Celsius) during the morning. During hibernation, garter snakes typically occupy large, communal sites called [[hibernaculum (zoology)|hibernacula]]. These snakes will migrate large distances to [[brumate]].
Most Garter snakes hide or live in dark places but often come out of their homes to bask in the sun.
== Reproduction ==
[[Image:Garter side view.jpg|200px|thumb|A garter snake.]]
Garter snakes go into [[brumation]] before they mate. They stop eating for about two weeks beforehand to clear their
stomach of any food that would rot there otherwise. Garter snakes begin mating as soon as they emerge from brumation. During mating season, the males mate with several females. In chillier parts of their range, male common garter snakes awaken from brumation first, giving themselves enough time to prepare to mate with females when they finally appear. Males come out of their dens and, as soon as the females begin coming out, surround them. Female garter snakes produce a sex-specific pheromone that attracts male snakes in droves, sometimes leading to intense male-male competition and the formation of mating balls of up to 100 males per female. After copulation, a female leaves the den/mating area to find food and a place to give birth. Female garter snakes are able to store the male's sperm for years before fertilization. The young are incubated in the lower abdomen, at about the midpoint of the length of the mother's body. Garter snakes are [[viviparous]], meaning they give birth to live young. Gestation is two to three months in most species. As few as 3 or as many as 50 snakes are born in a single litter. The babies are independent upon birth.
==Venom==
Garters were long thought to be nonvenomous, but recent discoveries have revealed that they do in fact produce a mild neurotoxic venom. Garter snakes are nevertheless harmless due to the very low amounts of venom they produce, which is comparatively mild, and the fact that they lack an effective means of delivering it. They do have enlarged teeth in the back of their mouth, but unlike many [[rear-fanged]] colubrid snakes, garter snakes do not have a groove running down the length of the teeth that would allow it to inject venom into its prey. It is rather spread into wounds, through a chewing action. The properties of the venom are not well known, but it appears to contain 3FTx, commonly known as three-finger toxin, which is a neurotoxin commonly found in the venoms of [[colubrids]] and [[elapids]]. A bite may result in mild swelling and an itching sensation. There are no known cases of serious injury and extremely few with symptoms of envenomation.
== Taxonomy ==
*Longnose Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis angustirostris]]'' ([[Robert Kennicott|Kennicott]], [[1860]])
*Aquatic Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis atratus]]''
**Santa Cruz Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis atratus atratus]]'' ([[Robert Kennicott|Kennicott]], [[1860]])
**[[Oregon]] Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis atratus hydrophilus]]'' ([[H.S. Fitch|Fitch]], [[1936]])
**[[Diablo Range]] Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis atratus zaxanthus]]'' ([[J. Boundy|Boundy]], [[1999]])
*Shorthead Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis brachystoma]]'' ([[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], [[1892]])
*Butler's Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis butleri]]'' ([[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], [[1889]])
*Goldenhead Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis chrysocephalus]]'' ([[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], [[1885]])
*Western Aquatic Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis couchii]]'' ([[Robert Kennicott|Kennicott]], [[1859]])
[[Image:Thamnophis_cyrtopsis_ocellatus.jpg|240px|thumb|Eastern Blackneck Garter, ''Thamnophis cyrtopsis ocellatus'']]
*Blackneck Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis cyrtopsis]]''
**Western Blackneck Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis cyrtopsis cyrtopsis]]'' ([[Robert Kennicott|Kennicott]], [[1860]])
**Eastern Blackneck Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis cyrtopsis ocellatus]]'' ([[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], [[1880]])
**Tropical Blackneck Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis cyrtopsis collaris]]'' ([[G. Jan|Jan]], [[1863]])
**Tepalcatepec Valley Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis cyrtopsis postremus]]'' ([[Hobart M. Smith|Smith]], [[1942]])
**Yellow-throated Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis cyrtopsis pulchrilatus]]'' ([[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], [[1885]])
*Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis elegans]]''
**[[Arizona]] Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis elegans arizonae]]'' ([[Vasco M. Tanner|Tanner]] & [[Charles Herbert Lowe|Lowe]], [[1989]])
**Mountain Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis elegans elegans]]'' ([[Spencer Fullerton Baird|Baird]] & [[Charles Frédéric Girard|Girard]], [[1853]])
**[[Mexico|Mexican]] Wandering Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis elegans errans]]'' ([[Hobart M. Smith|Smith]], [[1942]])
**Coast Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis elegans terrestris]]'' ([[Wade Fox|Fox]], [[1951]])
**Wandering Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis elegans vagrans]]'' ([[Spencer Fullerton Baird|Baird]] & [[Charles Frédéric Girard|Girard]], [[1853]])
**Upper Basin Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis elegans vascotanneri]]'' ([[Vasco M. Tanner|Tanner]] & [[Charles Herbert Lowe|Lowe]], [[1989]])
**[[Sierra San Pedro Mártir]] Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis elegans hueyi]]'' ([[John Van Denburgh|Van Denburgh]] & [[J.R. Slevin|Slevin]], [[1923]])
*''[[Thamnophis eques]]''
**Mexican Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis eques eques]]'' ([[A. Reuss|Reuss]], [[1834]])
**Laguna Totolcingo Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis eques carmenensis]]'' ([[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant]], [[2003]])
**''[[Thamnophis eques cuitzeoensis]]'' ([[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant]], [[2003]])
**''[[Thamnophis eques diluvialis]]'' ([[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant]], [[2003]])
**''[[Thamnophis eques insperatus]]'' ([[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant]], [[2003]])
**Northern Mexican Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis eques megalops]]'' ([[Robert Kennicott|Kennicott]], [[1860]])
**''[[Thamnophis eques obscurus]]'' ([[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant]], [[2003]])
**''[[Thamnophis eques patzcuaroensis]]'' ([[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant]], [[2003]])
**''[[Thamnophis eques scotti]]'' ([[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant]], [[2003]])
**''[[Thamnophis eques virgatenuis]]'' ([[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant]], [[1963]])
[[Image:Thamnophis_marcianus.jpg|240px|thumb|[[Checkered Garter Snake]], ''Thamnophis marcianus'']]
*Montane Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis exsul]]'' ([[Douglas A. Rossman|Rossman]], [[1969]])
*Highland Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis fulvus]]'' ([[Marie Firmin Bocourt|Bocourt]], [[1893]])
*Giant Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis gigas]]'' ([[Henry Sheldon Fitch|Fitch]], [[1940]])
*Godman's Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis godmani]]'' ([[Albert C. L. G. Günther|Günther]], [[1894]])
*Two-striped Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis hammondii]]'' ([[Robert Kennicott|Kennicott]], [[1860]])
*Checkered Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis marcianus]]'' ([[Spencer Fullerton Baird|Baird]] & [[Charles Frédéric Girard|Girard]], [[1853]])
*Blackbelly Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis melanogaster]]''
**Gray Blackbelly Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis melanogaster canescens]]'' ([[Hobart M. Smith|Smith]], [[1942]])
**Chihuahuan Blackbelly Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis melanogaster chihuahuanensis]]'' ([[Wilmer Webster Tanner|Tanner]], [[1959]])
**Lined Blackbelly Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis melanogaster linearis]]'' ([[Hobart M. Smith|Smith]], [[C. Nixon|Nixon]] & [[Philip W. Smith|Smith]], [[1950]])
**Mexican Blackbelly Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis melanogaster melanogaster]]'' ([[Wilhelm Peters|Peters]], [[1864]])
*Tamaulipan Montane Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis mendax]]'' ([[Charles F. Walker|Walker]], [[1955]])
*Northwestern Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis ordinoides]]'' ([[Spencer Fullerton Baird|Baird]] & [[Charles Frédéric Girard|Girard]], [[1852]])
*Western Ribbon Snake, ''[[Thamnophis proximus]]''
**[[Chiapas]] Highland Ribbon Snake, ''[[Thamnophis proximus alpinus]]'' ([[Douglas A. Rossman|Rossman]], [[1963]])
**Arid Land Ribbon Snake, ''[[Thamnophis proximus diabolicus]]'' ([[Douglas A. Rossman|Rossman]], [[1963]])
**Gulf Coast Ribbon Snake, ''[[Thamnophis proximus orarius]]'' ([[Douglas A. Rossman|Rossman]], [[1963]])
**Western Ribbon Snake, ''[[Thamnophis proximus proximus]]'' ([[Thomas Say|Say]], [[1823]])
**Redstripe Ribbon Snake, ''[[Thamnophis proximus rubrilineatus]]'' ([[Douglas A. Rossman|Rossman]], [[1963]])
**Mexican Ribbon Snake, ''[[Thamnophis proximus rutiloris]]'' ([[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], [[1885]])
[[Image:Thamnophis_proximus_rubrilineatus.jpg|240px|thumb|Redstripe Ribbon Snake, ''Thamnophis proximus rubrilineatus'']]
*Plains Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis radix]]'' ([[Spencer Fullerton Baird|Baird]] & [[Charles Frédéric Girard|Girard]], [[1853]])
*Rossman's Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis rossmani]]'' ([[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant]], [[2000]])
*Narrowhead Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis rufipunctatus]]''
**''[[Thamnophis rufipunctatus nigronuchalis]]'' ([[Fred G. Thompson|Thompson]], [[1957]])
**''[[Thamnophis rufipunctatus unilabialis]]'' ([[Wilmer Webster Tanner|Tanner]], [[1985]])
**''[[Thamnophis rufipunctatus rufipunctatus]]'' ([[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], [[1875]])
*Eastern Ribbon Snake, ''[[Thamnophis sauritus]]''
**Bluestripe Ribbon Snake, ''[[Thamnophis sauritus nitae]]'' ([[Douglas A. Rossman|Rossman]], [[1963]])
**Peninsula Ribbon Snake, ''[[Thamnophis sauritus sackenii]]'' ([[Robert Kennicott|Kennicott]], [[1859]])
**Eastern Ribbon Snake, ''[[Thamnophis sauritus sauritus]]'' ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[1766]])
**Northern Ribbon Snake, ''[[Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis]]'' ([[Douglas A. Rossman|Rossman]], [[1963]])
*Longtail Alpine Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis scalaris]]'' ([[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], [[1861]])
*Short-tail Alpine Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis scaliger]]'' ([[G. Jan|Jan]], [[1863]])
*[[Common Garter Snake]], ''[[Thamnophis sirtalis]]''
[[Image:Garter Snake 01.jpg|thumb|150px| Common Garter Snake]]
**[[Texas]] Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis sirtalis annectens]]'' ([[Bryce C. Brown|Brown]], [[1950]])[[Image:Thamnophis_sirtalis_annectens.jpg|240px|thumb|Texas Garter Snake, ''Thamnophis sirtalis annectens'']]
**Red-spotted Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis sirtalis concinnus]]'' ([[Edward Hallowell (herpetologist)|Hallowell]], [[1852]])
**[[New Mexico]] Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis sirtalis dorsalis]]'' ([[Spencer Fullerton Baird|Baird]] & [[Charles Frédéric Girard|Girard]], [[1853]])
**Valley Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi]]'' ([[Wade Fox|Fox]], [[1951]])
**[[California]] Red-sided Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis]]'' ([[Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville|Blainville]], [[1835]])
**''[[Thamnophis sirtalis lowei]]'' ([[Wilmer Webster Tanner|Tanner]], [[1988]])
**[[Maritimes|Maritime]] Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis sirtalis pallidula<!-- SPELLING SOURCE - http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh/nature/snakes/garterd.htm -->]]'' ([[Glover Morrill Allen|Allen]], [[1899]])
**Red-sided Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis]]'' ([[Thomas Say|Say]], [[1823]])
**[[Puget Sound]] Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis sirtalis pickeringii]]'' ([[Spencer Fullerton Baird|Baird]] & [[Charles Frédéric Girard|Girard]], [[1853]])
**Bluestripe Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis sirtalis similis]]'' ([[Douglas A. Rossman|Rossman]], [[1965]])
**Eastern Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis]]'' ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[1758]])
**[[Chicago]] Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis sirtalis semifasciatus]]'' ([[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], [[1892]])
**[[San Francisco]] Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia]]'' ([[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], [[1875]])
*Sumichrast's Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis sumichrasti]]'' ([[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], [[1866]])
*West Coast Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis valida]]''
**Mexican Pacific Lowlands Garter Snake, ''[[Thamnophis valida celaeno]]'' ([[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], [[1860]])
**''[[Thamnophis valida isabellae]]'' ([[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant]], [[1953]])
**''[[Thamnophis valida thamnophisoides]]'' ([[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant]], [[1961]])
**''[[Thamnophis valida valida]]'' ([[Robert Kennicott|Kennicott]], [[1860]])
== External links (alphabetical)==
{{commons|Thamnophis}}
*[http://www.thamnophis.eu/ Dutch Gartersnake site with many pictures]
*[http://www.anapsid.org/gartcare.html Anapsid.org: Garter Snakes]
*[http://johnbokma.com/mexit/2006/05/03/snake-road.html Several pictures of a Mexican ribbon snake (Thamnophis proximus rutiloris)]
*[http://www.thamnophis.com/ Thamnophis.com - Garter Snake forum]
*[http://www.gartersnake.co.uk/ The Garter Snake Page]
*[http://redtailboa.net/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&id=35 Garter Snake Caresheet]
*[http://www.herpnet.net/Iowa-Herpetology/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=57&Itemid=26 Plains Garter Snake - Thamnophis radix] Species account from the Iowa Reptile and Amphibian Field Guide
*[http://www.herpnet.net/Iowa-Herpetology/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=48&Itemid=26 Eastern Garter Snake - Thamnophis sirtalis] Species account from the Iowa Reptile and Amphibian Field Guide. A garter snake is a another name of garden snake
== References ==
*{{EMBL genus|genus=Thamnophis}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Snake, Garter}}
[[Category:Colubrids]]
[[Category:Fauna of Canada]]
[[Category:Fauna of the United States]]
[[Category:Fauna of Mexico]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Central America]]
[[de:Strumpfbandnattern]]
[[fr:Thamnophis]]
[[lt:Raištinės gyvatės]]
[[sk:Thamnophis]]
[[fi:Sukkanauhakäärmeet]]
[[ta:கார்ட்டர் பாம்பு]]
[[uk:Підв'язкові змії]]