Eastern Blackneck Garter Snake (Thamnophis cyrtopsis ocellatus)
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The Eastern Blackneck Garter Snake is undoubtedly one of the most strikingly marked reptiles in the Garden. It can frequently be seen in the early morning as it crawls around the rocks in the garden. After heavy rains, these snakes also tend to climb up in shrubs (see photo below at right). Unlike its close relative, the Redstripe Ribbon Snake, this species seems to avoid water if possible, although it feeds on frogs, toads, tadpoles, and fish. Very young snakes have the same beautiful markings as the larger adults, as shown below at left.
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class: Reptilia / order: Squamata / family: Colubridae / genus: Thamnophis / species: cyrtopsis / subspecies: ocellatus
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