Posted by:
erik loza
at Thu Jul 24 23:22:02 2003 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by erik loza ]
That is correct that giant Garter Snakes get 4 ' long, but you can't find one anywhere near Amador County. Gigas are found only around here in the drainage of the Sacramento River and at elevations no higher than sea level. And, they don't look much like any garter snake you've seen before. They're pretty homely: just dark brown and black with a faint dorsal stripe upon occasion. In Amador County, the Mountain Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans)is pretty common but never gets more than about a slender 30" long and Thamnophis always dive down for cover and stay low. Masticophis, by comparison, often run up into bushes and across open areas boldly when chased.
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