Butler's Garter Snake

In the past I've taked about large constrictors and poisonous snakes, but now we're going to learn about a much smaller snake, Thamnophis butleri. Butler's Garter Snakes can be found in several locations across the Midwestern United States and part of Canada, but they are often listed as threatened or endangered due to habitat loss. They live in meadows, marshlands, and woodlands, but the populations are often isolated.

Image from NewBerlin.org

Butler's Garter Snakes are distinguishable from other snakes (and other Garter Snakes even) by their black to olive-brown bodies and the three yellow stripes that run their length. The top stripe runs directly down the top of the back, while the other two run along the sides at the 3rd scale row. They have very small heads. They typically grow to around 20in.

Butler's Garter Snakes feed on a variety of creatures including worms, frogs, and fish. Due to their northern habitats, they hibernate in the winter. They often do this in colonies, and sometimes with other species of Garter Snake. They snakes are typically active after the frosts go away, and will remain so until the temperature drops consistently below about 50 degrees. Butler's Garter Snakes are ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young in early summer.

Comments

Bornean Orangutan

The Bornean Orangutan is one of two extant Orangutan species in the world. It is the third largest primate (after Gorillas) and is the largest primarily tree-dwelling animal in the world. Males are substantially larger than females, and average at around 165lbs. Bornean Orangutans are largely solitary. A handful might live within a small range but they will seldom interact with one another. Males and females only meet up to breed, which happens only once every several years. A young Orangutan will stay with it's mother for about five years, and the females tend to go about eight years between births. That is the longest interim period of any animal! Sadly, the Bornean Orangutans are in a lot of trouble. They need large forests in order to thrive, and deforestation and habitat degradation has left many homeless. They are also hunted for meat and for traditional medicines. Conservation areas are being established to help these guys in the wild, and it is believed that there are a

Four!

For anyone who was counting, yesterday was our birthday-- four years! Four years filled with animals from A to Z, more than 1,100 of them! I can't thank my readers enough, it's been wonderful! And in celebration of that milestone... I'm taking a break. Hopefully not forever, but for a little bit at least. In the mean time I plan on getting a new layout out, along with some updates to some of the older articles. I'll post updates here and on the Facebook page, I'm also brainstorming some new animal-related projects, so keep an eye out! Thanks again for four awesome years!

Halloween Crab

Gecarcinus quadratus The Halloween Crab goes by many names, including the Red Land Crab, Whitespot Crab, and Moon Crab. I personally like Halloween Crab though, since it really reflects the interesting colors. They have black carapaces, orange-red legs, and purple claws! Halloween Crabs live in the Pacific coast mangroves and forests of Central and South America. They actually live in the forests as adults, and return to the ocean in order to reproduce. Did you know that they live as far away as 18 miles (30km) from water? Not where you normally think Crabs to be! While living in the forest, the Crabs forage nocturnally for different plant matter, including leaves and sapling. They also dig long burrows into the ground for protection. These burrows can measure nearly 5 ft long! Halloween Crabs are sometimes kept in captivity, and can be very tricky pets due to their excellent climbing skills. IUCN Status : Not Listed Location : Cent

Animal A Day!

Search This Blog