HINESBERG JOURNAL (Ontario) 28 September 06 Group: Mexican garter snake in danger
Phoenix (AP): An environmental group claims the Mexican garter snake is in danger of extinction after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declined to designate it as an endangered species.
The snake is dependent on the dwindling rivers and streams of the southwest U.S. and northern Mexico. But experts say the snake‘s numbers have steadily declined from the Colorado, Gila and much of the Santa Cruz and San Pedro rivers due to the deteriorating habitats and the spread of non-native species such as bullfrogs, sunfish and bass.
They feed primarily on native frogs and fish, but also occasionally eat lizards and mice.
Mexican garter snake in danger