Photos / Sounds

What

California Red-sided Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis ssp. infernalis)

Observer

aparrot1

Date

October 2021

Description

Garter Snake, approx. 2-2.5 ft long. Alternating stripes of yellowish-green, black, and brown. Rather sluggish at 62°F. We encouraged him off the trail before the bike riders came along.

California Red-sided Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis ssp. infernalis)
Endemic in California, US: native and occurs nowhere else.
Reddish-brown patches behind eye are distinctive for this species.
Red on sides and head. Upper labials. Chin shields. Confirmed in range map:
http://californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/t.s.infernalis.html

Identifying Gartersnakes
http://www.californiaherps.com/identification/snakesid/gartersnakes.id.html
"all species of garter snake are often found in and around the water, and sometimes aquatics are found a long distance from any water, so the location is not a reliable way to ID them. To properly ID a garter in this area you would need a clear shot of the head scales" per INat acastelein.

Link to my confirmed Garter Snake observations, for comparison:
Diablo Range Garter Snake (Thamnophis atratus ssp. zaxanthus) https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/166000829
Coast Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans ssp. terrestris) https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/110554649
California Red-sided Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis ssp. infernalis) https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/99493314

Key to California Gartersnakes— A side-by-side comparison chart:
http://www.californiaherps.com/identification/snakesid/gartersnakeskey.html

Garter Snakes are in Colubrid Snakes (Colubridae) family. Most colubrids are not venomous, or have venom that is not known to be harmful to humans, and are mostly harmless. Some colubrids are described as opisthoglyphous "rear-fanged," meaning they have elongated, grooved teeth located in the back of their upper jaws.
Snakes: https://californiaherps.com/snakes/snakesmaps.html

Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of California: https://californiaherps.com

Reptile Database (41 species of Garter Snakes worldwide as of 2/12/24)
https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/search?search=garter+snakes&submit=Search

Photos / Sounds

What

California Red-sided Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis ssp. infernalis)

Date

March 2015

Photos / Sounds

What

Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii)

Observer

tmanzanillo

Date

July 2023

Photos / Sounds

What

Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii)

Observer

smcameron

Date

May 7, 2023 02:08 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris)

Observer

azoologist

Date

August 8, 2016 07:21 AM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii)

Observer

dlevitis

Date

July 2019

Photos / Sounds

What

California Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma californiense)

Observer

dragonkelp

Date

November 2023

Description

CA tiger salamander with vape for scale.

Photos / Sounds

What

Sierra Marten (Martes caurina ssp. sierrae)

Observer

malcolmgold

Date

June 2022

Photos / Sounds

What

Pacific Marten (Martes caurina)

Observer

mikeggg

Photos / Sounds

What

Pacific Marten (Martes caurina)

Observer

nawaters

Date

July 2019

Photos / Sounds

What

Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata)

Observer

irinamitine

Date

March 2, 2024 11:33 AM PST

Photos / Sounds

What

Sierra Marten (Martes caurina ssp. sierrae)

Observer

bigsam

Description

This marten was likely up at 10,900ft/3300m to hunt pikas, but when I stumbled along it became very curious about me. I was able to snap photos for about 8 minutes, then moved on to photograph the flock of rosy finches that was half dosing off while observing the marten. I wasn't able to observe any predation, but may have heard a couple distant screams.

Photos / Sounds

What

Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata)

Observer

nickcecchi

Date

February 10, 2024 01:48 PM PST

Photos / Sounds

What

Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata)

Observer

rawlingstimby

Date

February 25, 2024 03:17 PM PST

Description

Trail 21, Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, a few meters from west end of Searsville Dam. About 7.5 inches long. Photos 3,4 by Alice Cummings

Photos / Sounds

Observer

rwcannon57

Date

August 1993

Tags

Photos / Sounds

What

Red Diamond Rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber)

Observer

irelandrbi

Date

October 9, 2022 02:04 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Red Diamond Rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber)

Date

April 2023

Photos / Sounds

What

Red Diamond Rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber)

Date

April 2023

Photos / Sounds

What

Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata)

Observer

cnddb_brian

Date

September 24, 2023 09:19 AM PDT