lmctague1's Identifications

Weather: Sunny, Clear, around 60 F
Time: 11:03 am
Coordinates: 40.87794° N, 124.06083° W

Walk along Arcata Community Forest trail to garter snake hibernacula near the reservoir on a warm day to search for snakes. Made continuous rounds checking a couple of spots near the hibernacula where I thought snakes could be found.

Microhabitat: Specimen was found on a hillside along the trail on the left side of the reservoir. It was sitting still partially hidden in the twigs, branches, and needles of the hillside. The general location is the canopy covered trail next to the reservoir among second growth redwood trees.

ID based on: 7 upper labials, large eyes compared to other garter snakes
Juvenile, sex unknown. Found a short distance off the Lyons Ranch trail
Weather: ~60 F, sunny with a light breeze
Time: 5:00-5:30
Macrohabitat: oak savanna
Microhabitat: small, marshy pool surrounded by reeds and grassy vegetation. Water is stagnant with a muddy bottom. Found moving within vegetation along edge of pond.
Other notes: was found near a pond containing about 15 rough-skinned newts, which are its likely prey source. This was a small individual, likely a late-stage juvenile. Surprisingly did not musk on me, but behavior was normal besides for that. Several other garter snakes were seen along the perimeter of this pond but I was only able to catch this one.