Day 164: Several subspecies of Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) can be found in western Washington, but they are extremely difficult to differentiate in the field, even by experienced herpetologists. None is considered poisonous, although if your cat or dog eats one, it will most likely throw it right back up. Like other reptiles, these innocuous snakes are cold-blooded and may often be found sunning themselves to raise their body temperature. A warm snake is a faster snake, better able to capture prey like mice and frogs. All too frequently, Mr. Garter's choice of tanning salon has unfortunate consequences. They demonstrate a particular fondness for warm gravel or asphalt, i.e., the middle of the road, a factor which moves them along to food chain to feed scavenging birds and mammals. Fortunately for this little fellow, he'd picked a relatively untravelled road in Pack Forest to take advantage of the same warm spring sun which had also drawn me out of my den.
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