I'm sure it is a local phenomenon, but it could also be attributable to some other causes...



1. Gartersnakes are primarily amphibian predators. Amphibian breeding areas are being disrupted/destroyed at an alarming rate (dams, clearing forest around ponds, drainage or wetlands, pollution) and this would result in a drop in Gartersnake populations. Reduced amphibian populations = reduced Gartersnake populations.



2. Gartersnakes are active far ranging snakes (compared to a copperhead). Unfortunately, snakes that wander around conspicuously and over large distances get killed more often (run over, deliberately killed, etc.) Copperheads may be less inclined to wander around and so are killed less often.



3. Gartersnakes eat more often than Copperheads and are generally less massive snakes. Therefore a gartersnake is more likely to bioaccumulate toxins such as pesticide residues. This is likely to be exascerbated by the fact that they feed on so many fish and amphibians, which also have high exposure levels due to runoff of pesticides into the water.



I will add that down here where I live (SE TX), Eastern Gartersnakes are extremely rare and localized and have been on the decline for 40+ years as best we know. The reason is not clear, but pesticide use, fire ants, and habitat destruction have all been mentioned.
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Chris Harrison

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