Red-Sided Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis perietalis
Natural History:
Sometimes called the Canadian Red-Sided Garter Snake, the Red-Sided Garter Snakes, like Eastern Garter Snakes are a sub-species of the Common Garter Snake. They can be identified from other Common Garter Snakes by the red stipe running down their side that gives them their name. Their range is also further west then the Eastern Garter Snake with populations in north western Ontario, westwards into Manitoba through to British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. Their population also extends south as far as Texas.
Perhaps the best place to see these Garter Snakes in the wild is to visit the Narcisse Snake Dens in Manitoba, there, thousands of Red-Sided Garters come out of their hibernaculums in spring and all rush to mate. Hundreds of snakes can be seen at one time as the males slither amongst each other to try and find the larger female to breed with. If a male wakes up late it can create similar pheromones to a female, other males will began to swarm him, and he can steel the body heat from males that have already basked. This increases the snake's chances of breeding as he has distracted more males away from the actual female.
In the Manitoba population, the Red-Sided Garter Snakes has a greatly reduced amount of red compared to other populations. This is due to being further north as the darker colouration allows the snakes to absorb more sunlight and reduce the amount of time they have to bask for. This is advantageous as basking can cause the snakes to be increasingly susceptible to predation.
Its because of the black lines that run down their body that they got their name as the lines resemble the straps commonly found on garters. Garter Snakes are considered non-venomous and are harmless to humans however they do have a modified saliva which has a toxic effect on their prey such as frogs. While true venom contains such chemicals as cytotoxins and is produced by a venom gland, the saliva of a Garter Snake is produced from the duvernoy's gland and do not contain venoms. The toxins do not effect humans.
Sometimes called the Canadian Red-Sided Garter Snake, the Red-Sided Garter Snakes, like Eastern Garter Snakes are a sub-species of the Common Garter Snake. They can be identified from other Common Garter Snakes by the red stipe running down their side that gives them their name. Their range is also further west then the Eastern Garter Snake with populations in north western Ontario, westwards into Manitoba through to British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. Their population also extends south as far as Texas.
Perhaps the best place to see these Garter Snakes in the wild is to visit the Narcisse Snake Dens in Manitoba, there, thousands of Red-Sided Garters come out of their hibernaculums in spring and all rush to mate. Hundreds of snakes can be seen at one time as the males slither amongst each other to try and find the larger female to breed with. If a male wakes up late it can create similar pheromones to a female, other males will began to swarm him, and he can steel the body heat from males that have already basked. This increases the snake's chances of breeding as he has distracted more males away from the actual female.
In the Manitoba population, the Red-Sided Garter Snakes has a greatly reduced amount of red compared to other populations. This is due to being further north as the darker colouration allows the snakes to absorb more sunlight and reduce the amount of time they have to bask for. This is advantageous as basking can cause the snakes to be increasingly susceptible to predation.
Its because of the black lines that run down their body that they got their name as the lines resemble the straps commonly found on garters. Garter Snakes are considered non-venomous and are harmless to humans however they do have a modified saliva which has a toxic effect on their prey such as frogs. While true venom contains such chemicals as cytotoxins and is produced by a venom gland, the saliva of a Garter Snake is produced from the duvernoy's gland and do not contain venoms. The toxins do not effect humans.