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the garter snake


the garter snake
Photo Information
Copyright: ziggy Siedleczka (mumek) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 106 W: 0 N: 178] (847)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-07-27
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Sony DSC-F717
Exposure: f/8
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2004-12-23 11:24
Viewed: 2372
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Garter snakes are one of the most common snakes, generally in North America. They are recognized as "a snake" by most people as they live in meadows, hillsides, forests, marshlands and gardens, vacant lots, drainage ditches or backyards and have resisted man's encroachment.

They are an extremely wide ranging species, being found from sea level to high in the mountains. Many are aquatic or semi-aquatic but some are completely terrestrial.

They are found from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from southern Alaska (in which it is the only snake); the Western aquatic aquatic garter snake (Thamnophis couchi) range is from southwest Oregon to northern Baja California and extreme western Nevada to the Pacific Coast. It is found throughout California except the deserts.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:

Length: up to 4 ft.

There are over 20 species of garter snakes. Most species have conspicuous, pale yellow or orange vertebral stripe and a pale stripe low on each side. Name is earned by resemblance to an old fashioned garter. Some species are unstriped, or have only lateral stripes or a spotted or checkered pattern. Some are even melanistic.

Local forms are sometimes incorrectly referred to as water snakes because of their occurrence near water. The fact they are often found in gardens accounts for their being called garden snakes in some areas.

As with all Colubrids, garter snakes have only one lung. never have limbs or pelvis; have a single row of belly scales as wide as the body, each corresponding with a single vertebra. Lower jaw has only 2 bones each side, both jaws are highly mobile and distensible; braincase is the only rigid part of skull. Fold in skin of lower jaw allows for stretching during feeding.

BEHAVIOR:

Like true water snakes, to which garter snakes are closely related, when captured they may void feces and eject a foul liquid from anal scent glands. If handled and fed properly, they are rather docile and do well in captivity.

BREEDING & GROWTH:

About 7" at birth; 25" is usual maximum adult length for most species but the Giant Garter Snake of Central California may exceed 4'.

Attain sexual maturity at 17-18"; males able to mate second spring; females can give birth at 2 years. Young born in summer; true viviparity with a rudimentary placenta formation. In viviparous garter snakes the connection by placenta between mother and embryo marks an advanced stage in evolutionary development.

Number of young depends upon species and age of female, varying from 3-92. Usual range is 10-20.

The photo I took in the garden of old schoolhouse.
ljsugarnspice, Luc, Janice has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • willie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1023 W: 61 N: 648] (2083)
  • [2004-12-23 12:50]

Quite a big snake Ziggy. Good shot with good detail and colours. Well seen and good notes. Well done

i used to snake hunt for these guys when i was little! Good DOF and a nice, informative note! Keep up the good work!

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-12-23 17:32]

3 - 92 little ones! That is amazing. You captured this well and I like the natural feel of the shot.

Very well done and thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2004-12-23 21:46]

Good work, Ziggy: picture and note.
Thanks

Composition: ***
Sharpness: ***
Color: ***
DOF: ***
POV: ***
Note: ****

I find the leaves too present on this shot, another POV would have been better to get more of the snake.
TFS.

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3316 W: 149 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2004-12-24 22:42]

We don't have snakes in NZ, so I find this shot interesting. You would have had to be quick to snap it I imagine. And brave too... TFS, Janice

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