Eastern Garter Snake

In warmer weather when I go to the Sourland Mountain Preserve I'll usually look around for frogs and (as recent posts demonstrate) toads around a small pond located near the parking lot. I'm always hoping to get a picture of these amphibian friends of ours. Here's someone else that's looking for frogs and toads but for more dietary reasons, an Eastern Garter Snake. Eastern Garter Snakes have familial ties to our Northern Watersnakes (including this one from the same pond); apparently some garter snake and watersnake species have been reclassified as the other [1].

Both species are pretty comfortable in the water [2]. It not only provides them with a fairly good way to escape terrestrial threats, but also has the allure of nearby amphibians to eat. Similar to Northern Watersnakes, they'll also participate in mating balls. They'll also crowd together over the winter when brumating. Although there are warmth, moisture, and safety reasons to do this, it's at least possible they like each other's company.

This snake had been innocently sunning itself, and although I tried to be discreet, it eventually hid in some dense shrubbery. 

April 14, 2023 at Sourland Mountain Preserve
Photo 272131061, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

[1] In my area, adult garter snakes and watersnakes tend to look fairly different from one another, so despite the family ties they're unlikely to be confused.

[2] My recollection is that at least once an Eastern Garter Snake escaped my photography attempt by hiding underwater.

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