Archives of The Cold Blooded News

The Newsletter of the Colorado Herpetological Society

Volume 32, Number 9;   September, 2005

The Snow Garter!!!

by Douglas Kranich, Millinocket, ME

On Friday February 11, I received a herp call unlike any other. Over the years, because of my association with the Maine Herpetological Society and because of the fact that I am a life science teacher, I have received countless calls about unusual, reptiles, insects, plants, or amphibians from people 'wanting to know.' This one topped them all.

Richard Hoppe, Game Warden from Ashland, Maine, called me at the Millinocket Middle School that morning to tell me that two foresters had discovered a LIVE snake on a SNOW-packed northern Maine logging road! I thought he was a little nuts at first.

Ked Coffin and Lewis Hews, foresters for Irving Woodlands, discovered the snake on the logging road in T14R 10 near the Chase Ponds. The site was about a 1/2 mile east of the St. Francis Road. Jim Fahey, Game Warden from Portage, ME had been investigating a single set of tracks along the same road. He came upon the two foresters, who were photographing the snake. Jim collected it and took it to Richard, who contacted state Biologist Mark McCollough, who referred Rick to me. Once the facts were clear over the phone, we both agreed that it was probably a Maritime garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis pallidulus, the species was confirmed a week later when I eyeballed it). We discussed its behavior, coloration, reason for being 'out' and slim chance of survival. All involved felt this snake was very fortunate to have lived, since a hawk, raven, marten, fox, or coyote would have picked the tiny morsel up in no time had it been observed.

Rick told me that once the snake was inside the warden's station, it took on a spectacular defensive posture. It demonstrated a widened, nearly flat body and gaping mouth. The skin was stretched to its maximum, exposing the lightly-hued inter scalar skin that you would only see when one has just eaten a large food item.

But why was it out there??? Our theory was that the early February thaw probably caused its brumating den to be flooded. Temperatures had reached nearly 50F and considerable melting had occurred over the previous two days to 'wash' it out of its winter resting site.

A week later, Rick dropped it off on his way through Millinocket. It caused quite a stir among my students because he arrived when I was teaching a class. In addition to the box containing the snake, Richard handed me a CD which contained numerous photos. They included a few taken by the foresters at the original discovery site and several of the snake's behavior once it was brought indoors at the warden's station.

The garter snake continues to be cooled in my cellar. I plan to release it later this coming spring, once it is warm enough to find prey items and thrive.