Description: A fairly small gartersnake, 13 to 38 inches long, averaging 12 to 24 inches. Neonates are about 6 inches. A medium-sized snake with a head barely wider than the neck and keeled dorsal scales. The head is relatively small compared to other California gartersnakes. Highly variable in color in pattern. Typically there is a wide and distinct dorsal stripe, but sometimes the stripe is narrow, very dull in color, or absent. The color of this stripe can be red, orange, gold, yellow, greenish, blue, white, or tan. There are usually stripes along the lower sides, but these, too, may be absent on some individuals. These stripes also vary in color from yellow, to tan, to whitish. The ground color is blackish, olive, brownish, bluish, or gray, sometimes with a reddish tint, or reddish specks, and there are typically two rows of alternating dark spots, which may be partly obscured by a very dark ground color. The underside is yellowish, brown, gray, or black, often with dark spots or red specks.
Habitat: The northwestern garter snake is most commonly found on the edge of meadows, surrounded by forest, as some sunshine is needed for its survival. It can also be found under stumps when it is too hot out.
Range: Ranges from Vancouver Island and southwest British Columbia south along the coast, chiefly west of the Cascade Mountains, through Washington and Oregon, south to northern Humboldt County, California. Found only along the extreme northwest coast of California in Del Norte and Humboldt counties.
Diet: Mostly slugs and earthworms, occasionally snails, and amphibians, possibly fish.
Reproduction: Mating apparently occurs both in early spring, and early fall. Females are ovoviviparous - they carry the eggs internally until the young are born live from July to September.
Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of its relatively wide distribution, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.
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Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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