Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I dont know much about Garters but I found this snake to be quite common in extreme south west Oregon (Brookings).

Can anyone ID it for me please and give some info on Natural history of this species (size, food, other color forms, etc).

Thanks

Craig

I'll take a guess: Thamnophis Ordinoides, the Northwestern Garter Snake. However, the ones I have seen had a noticable yellow side stripe, but it is a variable species. Anyway, its a pretty snake. Gimme, gimme

I concur, this is Thamnophis ordinoides, the Northwestern Garter Snake. No subspecies are currently recognized. It ranges along the western parts of Oregon, Washington, N California into S Canada. Their coloration and pattern is highly variable. They are one of the more terrestrial Garters. The Garter Snakes, Evolution and Ecology by Rossman, Ford and Seigal report that they can be difficult captives due to diet restriction. They seem to specialize on slugs and worms. Amphibians are rarely eaten. Garters fed on worms need to be fed often and Calcium supplements are important. You might want to try fish and/or scented pinkies. If you are going to try and keep this species please keep us posted on what does and does not work. I hope to keep them myself if I can ever acquire any. I love Garters and the Northwesterns are of great interest to me.

Randy
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Firehouse Herps

Well, they are pretty common around here - this was quite a bright one so i brought it back for pics. There also seem to be the same type of snake with a yellow vertebral stripe, and some that seem to have a brown (non-colored) vertebral stripe.

I am actually looking to get into some Garters. But i think i should try find CB animals that are known to get larger and take mice.

If someone wants ordoniodes and is willing to find out the oregon laws for wild capture and trade/donation, then i would be willing to help you out...if you can promise they will go into breeding programs and not sold for cash.

Thanks again for the info

Craig