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California Red-Sided Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis)
California Red-Sided Garter Snake Photograph by Chris Brown. License: Public Domain. (view image details) 
Pescadero Creek County Park - San Mateo County, CA Photograph by Franco Folini. Some rights reserved. (view image details)
CALIFORNIA RED-SIDED GARTER SNAKE FACTS
DescriptionThe California Red-Sided Garter Snake is dark olive to nearly black. The head is red or orange. The head is olive. It has prominent yellow stripe down the back and less prominent stripes along the sides. There are red bars alternating with the background color along the sides above the lateral stripes. The underside is yellow-green or blue. Juveniles are similar to adults. The California Red-Sided Garter Snake is a good swimmer, and often escapes into water when threatened. Size 38-77 cm Environment found in forests, mixed woodlands, grassland, chaparral, farmlands, often near ponds, marshes, or streams. Food Eats amphibians, fish, birds, bird eggs, small mammals, reptiles, earthworms, slugs. Breeding live young are born in spring to fall. Range The California Red-Sided Garter Snake is endemic to California, ranging from Humboldt County south, along the coast ranges and east of the San Francisco Bay to just below the Monterey Bay. Notes Garter Snakes have toxins in their saliva and the bite can produce mild reaction in humans. They are not considered dangerous to humans, although they excrete a foul smelling musk when handled. Classification
Relatives in same Genus Butler's Garter Snake (T. butleri) Blackneck Garter Snake (T. cyrtopsis) Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (T. elegans) Coast Garter Snake (T. elegans terrestris) Two-Striped Garter Snake (T. hammondii) Checkered Garter Snake (T. marcianus marcianus) Redstripe Ribbon Snake (T. proximus rubrilineatus) Eastern Ribbon Snake (T. sauritus sauritus) Northern Ribbon Snake (T. sauritus septentrionalis) Texas Garter Snake (T. sirtalis annectens) Common Garter Snake (T. sirtalis sirtalis) Home | Mammals | Reptiles | Birds | Insects | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Contact Us |