Photo credit: Gary Nafis
The Giant Garter Snake, Thamnophis gigas, is listed as ‘VULNERABLE’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. The largest of the garter snake species, this highly aquatic snake occurs in the Central Valley of California, in the western United States.
The Giant Garter Snake has been lost from much of its former range due to the loss, degradation and fragmentation of its wetland habitats. Flood control, pollution, changes in land use and agricultural practices, overgrazing, and contamination with heavy metals all threaten the species and its habitat, and individuals may also fall prey to introduced predators such as cats, bullfrogs and large predatory fish.
A Recovery Plan for the species recommended a number of conservation actions, including the protection of existing populations and habitat, restoration of former habitat, further surveys, research and monitoring, and outreach and incentive programmes for the public. The Giant Garter Snake occurs in a number of wildlife refuges.
Geographic Range of the Giant Garter Snake
Credit: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
To learn more about the Giant Garter Snake, click here. Or visit the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ by clicking their logo below.
To learn more about the Bush Warriors “Species of the Day” feature, please click here and read up on our initiative to raise awareness about the loss of earth’s biodiversity.
