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Yellowstone National Park Seeing the park from horseback gives visitors a chance to cover ground off the beaten path.
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Yellowstone National Park
Valley Garter Snake
Valley Garter Snake

Photo courtesy of Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

Scientific name: Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi

Identification
  • Subspecies of the common garter snake.
  • Medium sized snake reaching total length of up to 34 inches.
  • Nearly black background color with three bright longitudinal stripes running the length of the body; underside is pale yellow or bluish gray.
  • Most distinguishing characteristics of this subspecies in this region are the irregular red spots along the sides.
Habitat
  • Thought to be common in the past, now in decline for no apparent reason.
  • Closely associated with permanent surface water.
  • In Yellowstone, observed only in the Falls River drainage in the Bechler region and there miles south of the south entrance along the snake river.
Behavior
  • Generally active during the day.
  • In the Yellowstone area, it eats mostly toads, chorus frogs, fish remains, and earthworms; Also can eat relatively poisonous species.
  • Predators include fish, birds, and carnivorous mammals.

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Dog Hooked to Travois for Transporting Goods.

Did You Know?
Some groups of Shoshone Indians, who adapted to a mountain existence, chose not to acquire the horse. These included the Sheep Eaters, or Tukudika, who used dogs to transport food, hides, and other provisions. The Sheep Eaters lived in many locations in Yellowstone.
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Last Updated: June 11, 2009 at 10:22 MST