Northwestern garter snake
| Northwestern garter snake | ||||||||||||
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Northwestern garter snake ( Thamnophis ordinoides ) |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Thamnophis ordinoides | ||||||||||||
| ( Baird & Girard , 1852) |
The northwestern garter snake ( Thamnophis ordinoides ) is a relatively small representative of the genus Garter Snake ( Thamnophis ) with an average length of 40 to 70 cm . The distribution area extends from the northwest coast of the USA to Canada .
description
There is a strong sexual dimorphism , so that the females are often twice as large as the males. In terms of basic coloration, the north-western garter snake shows a very high variability with shades from black, green, blue and brown to very light gray or beige. The stripe on the back is always present, but it also comes in a wide variety of colors (white, yellow, orange, red or blue-gray). The side stripes are lighter than the basic color, but are not present in all specimens. The iris is always black, the pupil is round.
distribution and habitat
The northwestern garter snake is widespread on the Pacific coast from the north of the USA to southern Canada. Wet meadows are preferred to be populated. Individual populations also occur in the grasslands and in the foothills.
Way of life and reproduction
The north-western garter snake mainly prey on snails and worms . After a four to five month hibernation period, mating takes place in March / April. The young are mostly born at the end of August. Like the garter snake, the north-western garter snake is also viviparous ( ovoviviparous ).
literature
- Thomas Bourguignon: Garter Snakes. Origin, care, species , DATZ terrarium books, 2002, ISBN 3-8001-3591-4
- Martin Hallmen, Jürgen Chlebowy: Garter Snakes , Natur und Tier-Verlag, 2001, ISBN 3-931-58749-5
References
- ↑ a b c Thomas Bourguignon (2002): Garter Snakes - Origin, Care, Species. Eugen Ulmer Verlag. ISBN 3-8001-3591-4 .
- ↑ a b c Martin Hallmen, Jürgen Chlebowy (2001): Garter Snakes . Nature and Animal Publishing House. ISBN 3-931-58749-5 .
Web links
- Thamnophis ordinoides in The Reptile Database
- Thamnophis ordinoides inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Threatened Species . Listed by: Hammerson, GA, 2007. Retrieved September 21, 2013.