First garter of the year!

[Qwerty3159]

Having only seen racers and ringnecks, I was beginning to wonder when I'd ever find a wild garter this year.
I found this cute little guy this morning. Something was very wrong with his tail, he was very very feisty and wouldn't let me look at it but it felt dry, like a retained shed. I hope it comes off on its own, it wasn't blocking his vent though, he crapped all over me!
http://i.imgur.com/tLxkbVY.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vSOpNKF.jpg

[Albert Clark]

Nice Q! Probably the tail is necrotic. Parasitic nematodes invade the gi tract of wild garters, lay their eggs and usually migrate to the tail. Just a possibility, however it could be a old injury also. Nice find though!

[guidofatherof5]

It might also be genetic in nature.

[Albert Clark]

It might also be genetic in nature.

Absolutely!

[Yoshismom]

What a cutie!

[slipknot711]

qwerty being in RI also.... Ive caught a couple garters this year but def seems to be a lil slow this spring!

[joeysgreen]

That tail would be fun to biopsy... just saying. Interesting things going on there ;)

[Qwerty3159]

I've found three more since then. At least two of them were different individuals, one had a full tail and one was nipped, but neither had that weird crooked thing going on.
It'd be nice to spot the crooked guy again.