garter snakes

genus Thamnophis

Member of natricine snakes (subfamily Natricinae)
colubrid snakes (family Colubridae)
snakes (suborder Serpentes)
reptiles (class Reptilia)
animals (kingdom Animalia)

There are no other wild species of this genus in the bay area.

California Herps has a key to the scale features of garter snakes.

coast garter snake
Thamnophis elegans ssp. terrestris

coast garter snake
Thamnophis elegans ssp. terrestris

pale yellow top and side stripes
usually some red on sides, but not always

little or no red on head

found throughout the bay area

aquatic garter snake
Thamnophis atratus

common garter snake
Thamnophis sirtalis

common garter snake
Thamnophis sirtalis

uncommon

4 observed taxons / 1 unobserved taxon / 3 keys

Chris’s observations: 13 (all are research grade)

Locations:

Henry Coe SP: 3
Big Basin SP
Calero CP
Castle Rock SP
El Corte de Madera OSP
Foothills Nature Preserve, Palo Alto
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Huddart CP
Joaquin Miller Park, Oakland
Mt. Madonna SP
Windy Hill OSP

Months:

Oct.: 1
Nov.: 0
Dec.: 1
Jan.: 0
Feb.: 1
Mar.: 0
Apr.: 4
May: 1
Jun.: 3
Jul.: 2

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Taxon info: iNaturalist

Bay Area species: iNaturalist