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Thamnophis radix


Thamnophis radix
Photo Information
Copyright: John Denk (jpdenk) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 214 W: 1 N: 334] (897)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-18
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon D70, Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 APO DG Macro
Exposure: f/8, 1/640 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Snakes - Serpientes - Serpents [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-04-18 11:44
Viewed: 588
Points: 21
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Thamnophis radix, Plains Garter Snake. This was a fairly large one, probably a female, and was hanging around the edge of a temporary pond at the Bartel grassland, probably looking for Chorus Frogs, which were singing loudly while I was there today.

See the workshop version for a closer view.

From the Illinois Natural History Survey:

Key Characters: Side stripes on scale rows 3-4; orange-yellow midback stripe; black bars on the margins of labial scales; back scales keeled; anal plate not divided.

Similar Species: Eastern ribbonsnake, western ribbonsnake, common gartersnake, lined snake.

Subspecies: Eastern plains gartersnake, T. r. radix.

Description: Medium-sized (up to 100 cm TL) dark brown or black snake with an orange-yellow midback strip and a yellow-gray stripe on each side. Two rows of alternating black spots or blotches on the side. Belly gray-green with dark spots along the edges. Usually a pair of light spots on top of the head.

Habitat: Former black-soil prairies, cultivated fields, pastures, wet meadows and marshes, and vacant lots.

Natural History: One of the most cold-tolerant snakes, often emerging from hibernation to bask on warm, sunny winter days. Mates in April or May and gives birth to 5-30 young from August through early October. Newborn 15-25 cm TL. Does not bite as readily as the common garter snake when handled. Common prey are earthworms, slugs, and small amphibians. Predators include birds of prey, mammals, and other snakes. Large numbers are killed on roads each spring and autumn as they move to and from upland hibernacula.

Status: Common in the northern half of the state

See their page at http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/cbd/herpdist/species/th_radix.html
Ishi, mariki, zulfu, rcrick, Bass, boreocypriensis, Maite, marhowie has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To marhowie: Thanksjpdenk 1 04-28 07:13
To Maite: Thanksjpdenk 1 04-25 10:56
To fragman: Also....jpdenk 1 04-24 10:03
To fragman: Thanksjpdenk 1 04-24 09:57
To boreocypriensis: Thank youjpdenk 1 04-20 18:58
To Bass: Thank youjpdenk 1 04-19 09:36
To rcrick: Thank youjpdenk 1 04-19 09:33
To Nilson: Thank youjpdenk 1 04-19 09:31
To zulfu: Thank youjpdenk 1 04-19 09:30
To mariki: Thank youjpdenk 1 04-19 09:16
To vanderschelden: Thank youjpdenk 1 04-19 09:15
To Ishi: Thank youjpdenk 1 04-19 09:14
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Ishi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 85 W: 0 N: 402] (1586)
  • [2008-04-18 11:50]
  • [+]

Hi John,

Lovely creature. Excellent take!

TFS,

Ishi

Beautiful animal you captured, John.
Well done
TFS
Annick

Hello John,

Very nice and sharp picture of this snake.
Wonderful detail of the scales. Very nice glance of scales and beautiful colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 445 W: 0 N: 69] (482)
  • [2008-04-18 13:09]
  • [+]

Hi John,
A superb shot of this colubrid fresh-water snake in all aspects.
TFS.
Regards,
Mehmet

Ola John
Linda foto desta serpente, suas cores são bem interessantes ao longo de seu corpo, a nitidez esta muito boa e a composição tambem ficou excelente.
Parabens
Nilson

Hi John,

Good shot of this Thamnophis radix, the detail and colours are excellent, well framed, Cheers Rick:)

  • Great 
  • Bass Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 97 W: 0 N: 116] (465)
  • [2008-04-18 17:53]
  • [+]

Hi John,
i really don´t like snakes, actually i´m afraid of them, but I love patterns on their skins. Here you show a very nice pattern, good details over it, it´s good to see details over the skin.
I also like symetry of the snake with the grass, like "everybody goes horizonal". It´s a good pic, i like it!
TFS
have a nice day
Brenda

Hi my friend John!
Superb macro shot of this nice snake Thamnophis in all aspects my friend! The scallation and the pose of snake are very nice!
TFS.
Cheers,

very good close up, but why half a snake? TFS Ori

  • Great 
  • Maite Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 974 W: 64 N: 1185] (4870)
  • [2008-04-25 1:36]
  • [+]

Wow!! What a scare! This is a stunning picture with that big snake looking intently at you. It's an excellent shot, with great sharpness and good composition. The workshop is really gorgeous.
Superb job, John.
Greetings
Maite

Hi John,
Beautiful reptile, it has a most distinctive look.
Very good detail, DOF, color, and exposure..
I think the dried straw/grass throughout your frame works well here.
Howard

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