This post brought to you in partnership with the Greater West Millcreek and Fairview Herpetological Society.
WARNING: graphic and disturbing snake-related content follows. Rating: TV MA.
[Editor’s note: above characterization potentially inaccurate. Also, this is not a television show.]
As part of the 2022 Presque Isle snake survey, after clandestinely bivouacking in the woods between the Pine Tree Trail and Dead Pond Trail for three days, finally found a beautiful Eastern Garter Snake (believed to be Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis):
Hard to get a full length shot with a long lens, but this male or female was probably a meter long or a bit less.
Pictures off the Dead Pond Trail, between the A Trail and B Trail junctions.
Notice the three lighter/tan strips, on the sides and top. A distinctive feature of the Garter Snake.
The scales are amazing to see close up.
While the focus on this website is birds (obviously), happy to partake of all things nature-related! Except ticks, leaches, etc. – yuck. Sorry ugly parasite friends.