The Common Garter Snake was the 2nd most frequently captured herpetofauna during our study (Table 1).
Meadow Voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and Cinereus Shrews (Sorex cinereus) also were consumed by Common Garter Snakes. Fitch (1999) demonstrated a seasonal shift in prey items for T.
Key words: alarm cue, antipredator, Common Garter Snake, predator avoidance, Rough-skinned Newt, Taricha granulosa, tetrodotoxin, Thamnophis sirtalis, TTX
We investigated the role of chemical-based avoidance behavior in predator-prey interactions between the Rough-skinned Newt (Taricha granulosa) and its major predator, the Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis).
Our results indicate that the Rough-skinned Newt avoids kairomones from their only major predator, the Common Garter Snake, only when that predator has recently consumed a conspecific newt.
A striking form of polymorphism is found in the common garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis.
The ecological significance of a colour polymorphism in the common garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis (L.) [Unpubl PhD dissertation].
Melanism in the common garter snake: A Lake Erie phenomenon.
Based on this criterion all reptile species are considered rare in Indiana with the exception of the painted turtle, common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), eastern box turtle, six-lined racerunner, bullsnake, eastern hognose snake, northern water snake, and
common garter snake. I am more concerned about the possible declines of reptiles in Indiana than amphibians.
Influence of availability on the feeding habits of the
common garter snake. Copeia, 1945:159-162.
Cottonmouths and rough green snakes were observed during every survey; racers, timber rattlesnakes, and gray ratsnakes were detected during seven surveys (87.5% of surveys); western ribbon snakes (Thamnophis proximus) were sighted during five surveys (62.5%); copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix) were encountered during three surveys (37.5%), plainbelly water snakes (Nerodia erythrogaster) and common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) were detected during two surveys (25%); and brown snakes (Storeria dekayi) and a single northern water snake were sighted during one survey (12.5%).
The low detection rate of plainbelly water snakes, northern water snakes, western ribbon snakes, and common garter snakes is perplexing.
In contrast, he says, although the
common garter snakes that he studies eat poisonous newts and the poison lingers in their bodies, they don't sequester it in special glands.
