I am currently IN LOVE with Gartersnakes. In the past, I used to dismiss these stinky critters as "just another garter" while on the pursuit of more sought after snakes. However, things have changed as of late. I have been restricting my herping to the San Francisco city limits and the northern portion of San Mateo county (mere minutes south of SF). Thus, I see A LOT of garters now. I love the fact that I can either flip or find them on the crawl, unlike some snakes that are mostly under cover. I know I am late in the garter game, but humor me- post some of your favorite Thams!
Young of last year Santa Cruz (Aquatic) Gartersnake from San Mateo County.
Gravid Coast Gartersnake from San Mateo County.
I really need to get my lifer San Francisco Gartersnake...
Thamnophis Thread
Moderator: Scott Waters
Re: Thamnophis Thread
HA thats funny you post this now because today I too gained a real appreciation for garter snakes. Probably because I saw 6 of the most beautiful coast garters I had ever seen (they had just shed) and my very first Santa Cruz Garter. Sadly I don't have a picture of that one.
Here is how I usually see Coast Garter Snakes
And here is how I saw them today
The photo really doesn't do these guys justice, they were incredibly red!
Here is how I usually see Coast Garter Snakes
And here is how I saw them today
The photo really doesn't do these guys justice, they were incredibly red!
- Chad M. Lane
- Posts: 567
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:40 pm
- Location: Manteca, CA
Re: Thamnophis Thread
Well not to many people know this, but Natalie does I'm a Thamnophis nut.
Here's a few I will post more later.
Cheers,
Chad
Here's a few I will post more later.
Cheers,
Chad
Re: Thamnophis Thread
That first Coastie looks awesome Zach! Nice pics two you two chaps as well You got any belly pics of those San Mateo blue-eye? I bet there's a belly stripe (favorite garter) first time I saw the belly stripe...
Here's some past finds:
(the blue in the brown eye of that frisco... )
Here's some past finds:
(the blue in the brown eye of that frisco... )
Re: Thamnophis Thread
Mountain Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Mountain Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Mountain Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Mountain Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Mountain Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Mountain Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Mountain Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Mountain Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Mountain Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Coast Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Coast Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Diablo Range Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Valley Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Valley Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Santa Cruz Garter by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Santa Cruz Garter by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Santa Cruz Garter by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Santa Cruz Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Sierra Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Sierra Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Sierra Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Sierra Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Sierra Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Re: Thamnophis Thread
Here are a few of my favorites from the last couple of years:
T.s. infernalis:
California Red-sided Gartersnake, Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis by J. Maughn, on Flickr
T.s. fitchi:
Valley Garter Snake, Thamnophis sitalis fitchi by J. Maughn, on Flickr
T.s. concinnus:
Red-spotted Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis concinnus by J. Maughn, on Flickr
The ever-variable T. ordinoides:
Northwestern Gartersnake, Thamnophis ordinoides by J. Maughn, on Flickr
Northwestern Gartersnake, Thamnophis ordinoides by J. Maughn, on Flickr
T.a. atratus:
Santa Cruz Garter Snake, Thamnophis atratus atratus by J. Maughn, on Flickr
T.e. elegans:
Mountain Garter Snake, Thamnophis elegans elegans by J. Maughn, on Flickr
T.e. terrestris:
Coast Garter Snake, Thamnophis elegans terrestris by J. Maughn, on Flickr
Another T. e. terrestris, that weird blue one I found last year:
Coast Garter Snake, Thamnophis elegans terrestris by J. Maughn, on Flickr
JimM
T.s. infernalis:
California Red-sided Gartersnake, Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis by J. Maughn, on Flickr
T.s. fitchi:
Valley Garter Snake, Thamnophis sitalis fitchi by J. Maughn, on Flickr
T.s. concinnus:
Red-spotted Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis concinnus by J. Maughn, on Flickr
The ever-variable T. ordinoides:
Northwestern Gartersnake, Thamnophis ordinoides by J. Maughn, on Flickr
Northwestern Gartersnake, Thamnophis ordinoides by J. Maughn, on Flickr
T.a. atratus:
Santa Cruz Garter Snake, Thamnophis atratus atratus by J. Maughn, on Flickr
T.e. elegans:
Mountain Garter Snake, Thamnophis elegans elegans by J. Maughn, on Flickr
T.e. terrestris:
Coast Garter Snake, Thamnophis elegans terrestris by J. Maughn, on Flickr
Another T. e. terrestris, that weird blue one I found last year:
Coast Garter Snake, Thamnophis elegans terrestris by J. Maughn, on Flickr
JimM
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- Location: Hesperia, California.
- Contact:
Re: Thamnophis Thread
Only Nor cals I have are coasts and my little Santa Cruz..
But, from what I understand, The Coasts from SC are often so red, they are referred to as the SC 'red-phase'. Here's one from Boulder Creek
Besides an isolated pop of mountains, in the berdoos, all we typically get to see down here in So Cal are 2-stripes...
jim
But, from what I understand, The Coasts from SC are often so red, they are referred to as the SC 'red-phase'. Here's one from Boulder Creek
Besides an isolated pop of mountains, in the berdoos, all we typically get to see down here in So Cal are 2-stripes...
jim
Re: Thamnophis Thread
Your smily rolls its eyes, but I'd really like to see a two-striped one of these days...
Beautiful snakes, everyone. Long live Thamnophis.
JimM
Beautiful snakes, everyone. Long live Thamnophis.
JimM
Re: Thamnophis Thread
"Flame -phase" Coast Gartersnake from San Mateo County.
Great finds, guys!
Neil- Sweet finds man! Too bad you couldn't snap a pic of the SC.
Chad- Amazing finds, dude. Love the infernalis shot...and that SC garter is SO yellow it looks unreal!
Porter- Nice snakes. That last shot of the frontal garter face makes it look so goofy haha! That stripped belly aquatic is sweet.
Jim- KILLER snakes! Love them all, ESPECIALLY the Red-spotted
Jim Hellihooks- Really cool double find of the SC and Coast garters! That "flame" phase coastie is a screamer!
Great finds, guys!
Neil- Sweet finds man! Too bad you couldn't snap a pic of the SC.
Chad- Amazing finds, dude. Love the infernalis shot...and that SC garter is SO yellow it looks unreal!
Porter- Nice snakes. That last shot of the frontal garter face makes it look so goofy haha! That stripped belly aquatic is sweet.
Jim- KILLER snakes! Love them all, ESPECIALLY the Red-spotted
Jim Hellihooks- Really cool double find of the SC and Coast garters! That "flame" phase coastie is a screamer!
- Brian Hubbs
- Posts: 4735
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:41 am
- Location: "Buy My Books"-land
Re: Thamnophis Thread
I saw this baby snake last year. Anyone know what it is?
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/48237384@N08/6809651967/]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/48237384@N08/6809651967/]
Re: Thamnophis Thread
JAMAUGHN: The blue coastie is one of the best I've seen! I love the blues...
hellihooks: The red on that things is insaine! ..I gotta find and photograph one of these days. A definate must in thamnophis variation
Zach: That thing reminds me of Daffy Duck everythime I look at it Shows how a little sun can effect the size of the pupil
Brian: Thats definately an Aquatic Gartersnake!
hellihooks: The red on that things is insaine! ..I gotta find and photograph one of these days. A definate must in thamnophis variation
Zach: That thing reminds me of Daffy Duck everythime I look at it Shows how a little sun can effect the size of the pupil
Brian: Thats definately an Aquatic Gartersnake!
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Re: Thamnophis Thread
Sigh...I need to move to northern CA
Re: Thamnophis Thread
Great idea, Zach
Here are some of Nick's Thamnophis shots:
Two-Striped Gartersnake, Los Angeles County
Diablo Range Gartersnake, Santa Clara County
Coast Gartersnake, Santa Cruz County
Red-Sided Gartersnake, Santa Clara County
Aquatic Garternsnake, Marin County
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ChAn ... 0/1221.JPG
Sierra Gartersnake, Tulare County (from last weekend)
Robert
Here are some of Nick's Thamnophis shots:
Two-Striped Gartersnake, Los Angeles County
Diablo Range Gartersnake, Santa Clara County
Coast Gartersnake, Santa Cruz County
Red-Sided Gartersnake, Santa Clara County
Aquatic Garternsnake, Marin County
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ChAn ... 0/1221.JPG
Sierra Gartersnake, Tulare County (from last weekend)
Robert
Re: Thamnophis Thread
Alright Zach! Givin' the G's some respect! Here are some from the last 12 months or so. The first 5 were caught in 48 hrs, this last Saturday-Monday...From the moutains to the coast...
Mountain Garter
Sierra Garter
Aquatic Garter Intergrade
Coast Garter
CA Red-Sided Garter
Two Striped Garter
Valley Garter
Aquatic Garter- Diablo Range
Aquatic Garter- Santa Cruz
San Francisco Garter
Here's to gettin' stinky!
Mountain Garter
Sierra Garter
Aquatic Garter Intergrade
Coast Garter
CA Red-Sided Garter
Two Striped Garter
Valley Garter
Aquatic Garter- Diablo Range
Aquatic Garter- Santa Cruz
San Francisco Garter
Here's to gettin' stinky!
Re: Thamnophis Thread
Hubbs- Screamer!
Robert- Those are some great snakes! The shot of the snake on the creek bed is spectactular.
Devlin- DUDE! Every one of those garters are amazing. That infernalis...amazing...same with that tetra! I'm really digging that SC garter; it looks like such a bully!
Coast Gartersnake from San Francisco (6/26/12) found on the crawl on an outting with Luke Talltree.
Robert- Those are some great snakes! The shot of the snake on the creek bed is spectactular.
Devlin- DUDE! Every one of those garters are amazing. That infernalis...amazing...same with that tetra! I'm really digging that SC garter; it looks like such a bully!
Coast Gartersnake from San Francisco (6/26/12) found on the crawl on an outting with Luke Talltree.
Re: Thamnophis Thread
I love the theme. Many nice snakes here- so many that I really have nothing to add! Zach, I hope you get that SFGS soon.
- Mr.Talltree
- Posts: 200
- Joined: March 22nd, 2012, 10:15 pm
- Location: San Francisco, Ca.
Re: Thamnophis Thread
Confession: My name is Luke and I'm a Thamnoholic.
Dev & Chad--All your pictures and specimens are RIDICULOUS!!! Jealousy and envy are appropriate adjectives for my emotional state when I look at that stuff.
Zach--Great thread! Gartersnakes are awesome.
JimM--The blue/black coastie made my head explode! So cool!
Here are a few of my finds.
Shasta county Mountain Garter
A few San Francisco Coast Garters
Here's a Marin county burgundy Coast Garter--quite possibly the stankiest snake I've ever laid my paws on.
And last but not least--a Marin county Red-sided Garter getting ready to shed.
As you can see, I really need to find more species of garters. I need SF's, Valley's, Aquatics of all sorts, and more Red-sideds.
Luke-
Dev & Chad--All your pictures and specimens are RIDICULOUS!!! Jealousy and envy are appropriate adjectives for my emotional state when I look at that stuff.
Zach--Great thread! Gartersnakes are awesome.
JimM--The blue/black coastie made my head explode! So cool!
Here are a few of my finds.
Shasta county Mountain Garter
A few San Francisco Coast Garters
Here's a Marin county burgundy Coast Garter--quite possibly the stankiest snake I've ever laid my paws on.
And last but not least--a Marin county Red-sided Garter getting ready to shed.
As you can see, I really need to find more species of garters. I need SF's, Valley's, Aquatics of all sorts, and more Red-sideds.
Luke-
Re: Thamnophis Thread
Zach- That's a huge coastie for San Francisco! Nice find
Luke- I might be able to help if it's valley garter snakes you are after
Luke- I might be able to help if it's valley garter snakes you are after
Re: Thamnophis Thread
Coastal San Mateo county Coast Gartersnake. They get MUCH redder in San Mateo (to the point of being a red snake) but this one had a nice contrast.
San Mateo county "Flame Phase" Coast Gartersnake from today (7/3). In shed.
And for fun, cute little boa shed. One of three boa sheds found in the area that the Flame garter was found.
San Mateo county "Flame Phase" Coast Gartersnake from today (7/3). In shed.
And for fun, cute little boa shed. One of three boa sheds found in the area that the Flame garter was found.
Re: Thamnophis Thread
Excellent thread, Zach. You sure do find a lot of pre-shed snakes. That flame phase Coast should be a real looker once it sheds. I don't know if you've seen our Coasts, but they fugly! I need to get up that way for some Coasts and 'another' Garter.
Have you found any RSG?
Have you found any RSG?
Re: Thamnophis Thread
Hey El,El Garia wrote:Excellent thread, Zach. You sure do find a lot of pre-shed snakes. That flame phase Coast should be a real looker once it sheds. I don't know if you've seen our Coasts, but they fugly! I need to get up that way for some Coasts and 'another' Garter.
Have you found any RSG?
I do find a lot of pre-shed/in shed snakes The "Flame Phase" Coasties are some of the prettiest garters, in my opinion, and this particular has quite the large population of them. That is, this was the first time I checked the particular junk pile where the Flame was found, but I have found many of them near the area.
I have never seen a Coast in Santa Clara county (Hell, I've only really herped there like 4 times haha!). Come up here anytime man! Let's hit the ponds!
As for RSGS, I have seen a Marin county "blue" Infernalis when I went out with Talltree and Devlin. One got away from me, so I don't count RSGS as being checked off my life list yet.
- Mr.Talltree
- Posts: 200
- Joined: March 22nd, 2012, 10:15 pm
- Location: San Francisco, Ca.
Re: Thamnophis Thread
Awesome flame phase! Did you go to the area we went to the other day?
Re: Thamnophis Thread
Nope, somewhere else Gotta thank Neil....Mr.Talltree wrote:Awesome flame phase! Did you go to the area we went to the other day?
Re: Thamnophis Thread
"Multi-striped" Atratus vs "Wide-stripe" Atratus. Both from San Mateo county far from water.