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Project Noah Nature School
Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis
Dark background with yellow stripes, Red color between scales. Subspecies of the Eastern Garter (Thamnophis sirtalis)
Found in a wetland
I found this garter snake on the road at Squaw Creek NWR. I believe this is a very old individual. He did not act like normal garter snakes with spit and vinegar. He half heartedly struck at me when I tried to coax him off the road with my foot. He barely moved towards the other side, then he would stop in the road again and just lay there. I finally moved him out of concern, then something happened I had never had happen before.....about a 1 1/2 inch section of his tail came off in my hand. Kind of creeped me out! I knew lizards like skinks will drop a tail as protection,but did not know snakes would. Has anyone else ever experienced this?
Spotted on Jun 17, 2012
Submitted on Jul 21, 2012
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