In the Right Place: Common

In the Right Place: Common

You have to look closely to see this well-camouflaged fellow. (Sex assumed.) We caught a glimpse of him yesterday as he was out taking his daily slither. He’s a Common Garter Snake of about 18 inches.

These snakes are Maine’s most abundant reptiles. They usually get a little larger than two feet, but one Maine specimen was officially recorded at almost 44 inches, which is hard to believe. Here’s yesterday’s little traveler stretched out:

Garter Snakes were named after something that most of you have never seen – “garter straps,” elastic devices with clips that once were used by men to hold up long stockings. (Men’s garter straps are not to be confused with women’s “garter belts,” a devilish device that most of you have not seen either.)

Returning to Garter Snakes with apologies for the descriptive meandering, these reptiles love earthworms, but will eat just about any living thing that they can get their small mouths around. Garter Snakes, in turn, are a favorite snack for many winged and furry predators, not to mention other snakes with more understandable names. Thus, Garter Snakes are always flicking their very sensitive tongues to test the air for danger:

(Brooklin, Maine)