Apr 16 2009
Garter Snakes bustin’ out
It must be that time of year. Buffy (the mutt dog) actually discovered the first Garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis. She found it interesting for moment but I guess it wasn’t fast, loud, furry, or smelly enough to pursue. On closer inspection I found 3 garter snakes were hanging out in the leaf litter around a large cracked rock. I have a feeling that if I could have “opened” the rock, I woulda hit Garter Snake Jackpot.
These guys tend to share hibernation spots, it saves on the heat bill and makes it easy to find a date when the temperatures begin to rise. It also qualifies snakes for the EHC, or “Earned Hibernation Credit” when they file their 1040s.
The males come out first and hang around waiting for the females to emerge. They can sometimes form big “mating balls” as they all compete to inseminate the female. When a male does succeed he actually puts a “plug” in the female. This prevents other males from successfully mating with that female that season. The female has a few tricks up her sleeve as well. Females can store a male’s sperm for years and use it to fertilize eggs later, or she can mate again and get “new” sperm to use. This throws in an interesting twist when female snakes appear on Maury for paternity tests.
Hey. so your posting reminded me of what i did on easter. So i wanted to share. it seemed relevant. My huskie/coyote mix is an expert at hunting garters as well. we were strolling on the edge of a small swamp located on the outscurts (?) of another boring suburban development. when she found a great opportunity for some good herp karma and a perfect example why families need to be more careful with their garbage. a bundle of garters, as u described above, had found themselves twisted inside an onion netting. the orange kind from the super market that holds your onions. it took 15 minutes to cut themout safely and return them to their habitat. dog and I left feeling good about our deed yet frustrated at humans alotogether.
so i have no idea how to attach the pic. i will send it to u and you can post it. k? thanks. Jill
Thanks for sharing Jill! I’ve always cut up the soda rings but never thought of the netting. I don’t think they’d have much luck running an ad campaign for that though, it’s hard to get people to like snakes unfortunately.