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Wandering Gartersnake (Thamnophis elegans vagrans)
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans)
Snakes Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas
Wandering Gartersnakes (Thamnophis elegans vagrans)
Note yellow spot atop the head

General: Wandering Gartersnakes (Thamnophis elegans vagrans) are long, thin snakes with a yellow stripe down the center of the back and yellow stripes on each side. Often with a yellow spot on the top of the head.

Taxonomy: Colubrid (Non-venomous) Snakes Family (Colubridae).

Technical Description:

Diet:

Habitat:

Wandering Gartersnakes (Thamnophis elegans vagrans)
Sometimes the yellow spot atop the head is absent

Range: Widely distributed across the western U.S. In Nevada, occurs in northern Nevada, an isolated population in southwestern Nevada, and now along the Las Vegas Wash.

Breeding:

Wandering Gartersnakes (Thamnophis elegans vagrans)

Similar Species: Striped Whipsnakes look similar, but lack the yellow dorsal stripe and do not have a light spot on the top of the head.

Comments:

Wandering Gartersnakes (Thamnophis elegans vagrans) Western "Terrestrial" Garter Snakes, in this case the Mountain Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans elegans), readily take to the water.
Wandering Gartersnakes (Thamnophis elegans vagrans) Wandering Gartersnakes (Thamnophis elegans vagrans)
Wandering Gartersnakes (Thamnophis elegans vagrans) Wandering Gartersnakes (Thamnophis elegans vagrans)
Wandering Gartersnakes (Thamnophis elegans vagrans) Wandering Gartersnakes (Thamnophis elegans vagrans)
Wandering Gartersnakes (Thamnophis elegans vagrans)
Dorsal pattern and keeled scales
Wandering Gartersnakes (Thamnophis elegans vagrans)
Yellow stripes all around
Wandering Gartersnakes (Thamnophis elegans vagrans)
Everting its anus and trying to put serious stink on me
Wandering Gartersnakes (Thamnophis elegans vagrans)
Belly scales
Wandering Gartersnakes (Thamnophis elegans vagrans)
Back in the water -- I'm free!
Wandering Gartersnakes (Thamnophis elegans vagrans)
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Wandering Gartersnake (Thamnophis elegans)
Snake captured along Las Vegas Wash (Sep 2015)
Wandering Gartersnake (Thamnophis elegans)
Snake captured along Las Vegas Wash (Sep 2015)
Wandering Gartersnake (Thamnophis elegans)
Snake captured along Las Vegas Wash (Sep 2015)
Wandering Gartersnake (Thamnophis elegans)
Snake captured along Las Vegas Wash (Sep 2015)

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 221214

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