Giant garter snakes are highly aquatic and the diet reflects this mode of life. Historically they preyed upon thick-tailed chub (Gila crassicauda, now extinct) and the California red-legged frog (which has been extirpated from the Central Valley floor. Garter snake is a common name for generally harmless, small to medium-sized snakes belonging to the genus Thamnophis. Species Biology and Life History The giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas) is one of the largest garter snakes, reaching a total length of at least 162 centimeters (63.7 inches) (USFWS 1993). Diet. Due to their predominately aquatic lifestyle, giant garter snakes prey upon fish, frogs, and tadpoles. Due to cultivation of rice in Sacramento valley, the population of giant garter snake is considerably high here. Giant garters are prey for various raptor birds and have evolved a fast diving behaviour to avoid them. Like other garter snakes, the giant garter snake can release a foul-smelling musk from its cloaca if threatened or disturbed. Giant Garter Snake Exam. The garter snake is abundant in the eastern United States; it is the state reptile of Massachusetts.While no snakes are known to be native of Alaska, a road-killed specimen of a garter snake … Text alerts are a free service from Kane County Chronicle, but text rates may apply. Unfortunately, giant garter snakes are threatened, with only five percent of their historical habitat remaining. American bullfrog and other introduced predators … Choose your news! Typical prey includes carp, minnows, mosquitofish, Pacific tree frogs, and bullfrogs. Once identified as a subspecies of the western terrestrial garter snake, giant garter snake was accorded the status of a full species Giant garter snakes are the largest of the garter snake species and endemic (native) only to central California. The U.S. FWS's Threatened & Endangered Species System track information about listed species in the United States The population of the giant garter snake in San Joaquin Valley is very small compared to what it used to be. Scientific name: Thamnophis sirtalis Average weight: 150 g Average length: 46 to 137 cm Average lifespan: 2 years in the wild and 6 to 10 years in captivity Did you know? studied giant garter snakes at 26 locations in California. Fast Facts: Common garter snake. Select the text alerts you want to receive: breaking news, prep sports, weather, and more. Female common garter snakes can have as many as 70 to 80 young in a single litter! 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