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Common garter snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Description:

Came across this female garter snake trying to swallow an American toad (Anaxyrus americanus). Toads puff themselves up when they are attacked, which makes them more difficult to swallow. While she had her mouth full, a male was attempting to mate with her. You can see the smaller male in the second and third picture. He was slithering up and down her body and wrapping himself around her. They did end up mating while she was still trying to swallow that toad.

Habitat:

By the parking lot below the dam at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield, VA.

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1 Comment

AshleyT
AshleyT 10 years ago

Haha poor girl! That had to have been annoying ;)

kcurtain
Spotted by
kcurtain

North Springfield, Virginia, USA

Spotted on Apr 12, 2013
Submitted on Apr 12, 2013

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