Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
(C)
(D)
Plate 4.52
(
Continued
)
(B and C) Mountain garter snake (
Thamnophis elegans elegans
),
Lake Tahoe, California, USA.
Some members of the
T. elegans
complex are considered
specialist feeders on slugs (e.g.,
T. e. terrestris
), while others such as
T. e. elegans
are generalist
feeders.
Thamnophis elegans
may use coiling to partly subjugate small mice, but these prey are
still usually swallowed alive (Gregory et al., 1980). There are no well-documented medically
significant bites by
T. e. elegans
.
D. Wandering or Western terrestrial garter snake (
Thamnophis elegans vagrans
).
Thamnophis
e. vagrans
are found in a variety of biotopes (e.g. near brooks or creeks in coniferous forest,
meadows, rocky outcrops and mixed woodlands), and may be found at sea level as well as at
elevations of 3200 m. These snakes are generalist/opportunistic predators, and feed on a broad
variety of small vertebrate and invertebrate prey. They will readily accept small mice in captivity.
Although they are medically insignificant, there are a few documented bites by
T. e. vagrans
that
included local pain, development of mild to moderate local edema, and mild ecchymoses/blisters
limited to the bite site. (see section 4.2.3 and Table 4.1; photo copyright to Barney Oldfield).
Plate 4.52A-C, photos copyright to Mark O'Shea.
