California recently crowned its newest emblem: the state snake. And what better choice than a long reptile who prefers a hot day, unbothered in the water. We’re talking, of course, about California’s endemic giant garter snake.
You have likely encountered a garter snake (Genus Thamnophis), as they are one of the most widespread snakes in North America. Though, you may have mistakenly shrieked “Garden snake!” a common mishearing of – and false name for – the “garter snake.”
Regardless, the giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas) is a ssssuper cool reptile, deserving of ssssome attention. Read on to discover six sssseriously surreal facts!
1. How big do garter snakes get? Giant garter snakes are the largest of their species!
The giant garter snake is named appropriately as the largest species of garter snake. Adults can reach up to 64 inches, or 5.4 feet, long.
2. The garter snakes of California! They’re endemic.
Giant garter snakes thrive solely in California’s critical wetlands. Historically, they could be found in California’s Central Valley from Butte County to Kern County. Only about 5% to 10% of their historical wetland acreage remains, and today their range extends from Butte and Glenn counties to Fresno County, about 120 miles north of Kern County.
3. What’s the habitat of giant garter snakes? They’re aquatic!
You could almost call them the “spa” snake. Giant garter snakes need shallow, warm, slow-moving water to survive. As the most aquatic garter snake, you can find them swimming in natural wetlands like marshes, sloughs, ponds and small lakes and streams, as well as artificial waterways and agricultural wetlands. They even utilize irrigation ditches and canals to move between water bodies.
If you are lucky enough to see a giant garter snake swimming in the wild, have no fear as they will likely swim away quickly. Garter snakes are quite shy and try to avoid human interaction.
4. What do giant garter snakes eat? Small aquatic animals!
Giant garter snakes eat aquatic prey like small fish, tadpoles and frogs and are ambush specialists, who take advantage of small pools of water that trap their prey. These snakes have also been observed dragging prey out of the water to eat it.
5. A live birth! Garter snakes are part of the 30%.
Only about 30% of snake species are ovoviviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. Female garter snakes will give birth to a litter of 10 to 46 babies, or snakelets, between mid-July and early September. The newborn snakelets immediately scatter into dense cover. After absorbing their yolk sacs, these young snakes will begin foraging on their own.
6. Threatened and endangered snakes in California: Giant garter snakes are on the list!
In the past century, giant garter snakes have declined over 90%. They have been listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act since 1971 and under the Federal ESA since 1993. The biggest threat to these snakes is the loss and degradation of their wetland habitat.
Help ssssave giant garter snakes!
Naming the giant garter snake California’s state snake is a great way to raise awareness and acknowledge the importance of giant garter snakes and their habitat. But there’s still work to be done!
California only has 10% of inland wetlands left in California’s Central Valley due to urban development and corporate agricultural expansion. This amount shrinks further in the summer when landscapes dry out, a growing problem for giant garter snakes who are foraging the most during this time. California has a great policy of no net loss of wetlands, and the Central Valley Joint Venture has acknowledged the need to increase summer wetland habitat by 2030.
Californians can help! Call your Assemblymember or State Senator today and ask them to adequately fund the California Department of Fish and Wildlife so they can implement that policy and provide wetland habitat for the state snake all year long!
No matter where you live, we can all help giant garter snakes and other snakes, too. Take action to protect habitats. Avoid harsh pesticides and never release an unwanted pet into the wild, as these non-native animals can wreak havoc on the environment.
Most importantly, share these snake facts and stories! Snakes are often seen as sssscary sssslithering reptiles, but in reality, they are incredibly important players in their ecosystems.
Psssyched for snakes? Read these seven slithering facts!
Author
Allison Cook
