Spring Sightings

[Chulio]

Every year I have the same Garters on my property.
They have been here for a few years and only one is
missing do to a lawn mower accident.

I have seen on National Geagraphic that they stay together
in the winter in limestone formations an come out all together.
All accept the 1st year snakes they said.

How far do they travel from that spot.
I would like to find the spot.
They spend the summers under my front sidewalk and stay on the perimeter
of my house in the mornings then work their way to the wetland behind my property where they eat polywogs and frogs.

Can I get a book on my species.

[ConcinusMan]

Those are some nice, robust looking garters you got there. Obviously, the frogs around there have adapted a defense in response to all those frog-gobbling snakes. LoL.

I'm not very good at garter ID but if I am to take a wild guess, without knowing where you are, I would say T. elegans?

If you're seeing numbers of them, fairly early in the year, then my guess is that you are sitting right on top of, or very near their winter dens. With a source of water and food nearby all summer, there's no need for them to travel far. I too, have seen the same individuals within a 100 square yard area, over and over again, over a period of years. They don't move much.

[guidofatherof5]

Great looking snakes.
It's nice having the same ones return every year. I've got a number of radixes that do that.

[charles parenteau]

The first picture is very good!!nice defense !!

[ConcinusMan]

Anyone else want to confirm or challenge my initial ID on those snakes? (first 2 pics, female, no doubt) I'm dying here. Are they T. elegans or what? C'mon stefan, anyone? I have little confidence in my ID ability. Some feedback would be nice. I'm sure chulio wouldn't mind hearing it too.

[Panzer13]

Nice looking snakes. Thats cool that they stick around from year to year. Have there been any babies yet?

[ssssnakeluvr]

I believe they are easterns. would help to know where he lives

[charles parenteau]

Look like eastern ?Where you live???

[BUSHSNAKE]

Hey Chulio were do you live,i see one snake with neck bars like semifasciatus(Chicago Garter Snake)

[ssssnakeluvr]

I see them too...the one in the back crawling away...so, where do ya live??