100 Species #22: Common garter snake

A common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) found at the edge of my driveway. The garter snake is North America's most common and abundant reptile. It is a small (rarely growing to 3 feet long) predator of earthworms, slugs, salamanders and other small animals. It prey to many other creatures including skunks, larger birds, and as I suspect in this case, house cats. I suspect a cat because this snake's carcass is entirely here, none of it is eaten, but it's head has been crushed by a bite. Most predators kill as a matter of feeding themselves, while domestic cats are sated of this need and kill because the instinct moves them to; they leave the dead behind as grisly offerings on pillows, doorsteps, and driveways.


Each scale on a garter snake is keeled, bearing its own central ridge, giving the skin an overall rough appearance. The garter snake is named for the band of fabric that holds up stockings, though many mishear the name as "garden snake."

( Somewhat gory )

Garter snakes have appeared in photos on this blog before, from Drumlin Farm, Franklin Park Zoo (as a wild, non-collection animal), and at Cutler Park.

100 Species #23: Glory-of-the-snow

Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm rubbish with cultivated plants, but I think this is Glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa sp.), a Mediterranean native that grows from a bulb. It popped up between the late winter blooming snow drops and the early spring blooming daffodils, in numerous locations around the yard. You garden-keeping folks probably know more about it than I do, so let's hear it (and let me know what it is in case I'm wrong).