Terrestrial Biodiversity:

• Native Flowering Plants
• Ancient Gardens
• Butterflies
• Bats
• Small Mammals
• Amphibians
• Reptiles
• Coastal Cutthroat Trout
• Wetlands
• Climate Change

Home > Research > Terrestrial Biodiversity

Reptiles

Reptiles are especially poorly documented in the San Juan Islands.  Apart from garter snakes (Thamnophis spp), which are relatively abundant and widespread, and important controls on slugs, snails, and Rough-skinned newts, reptiles have been seen rarely.  Rubber boas, reported historically, have not been reconfirmed in many years.  Sharp-tailed snakes are known from a single recent documented report.  Western pond turtles were last seen 20 years ago.  Kwiaht has been able to confirm the survival of Northern alligator lizards on Orcas Island, and uses a combination of school projects, local news stories, and community radio to raise awareness and attract sightings and specimens.

 

 

Thamnophis elegans or the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake is a species of colubrid snake residing only in Southwestern Canada, and Western United States. Six subspecies are currently recognized. Most snakes have a yellow, light orange, or white dorsal stripe, accompanied by two stripes on its side of the same color. Some varieties have red or black spots between the dorsal stripe and the side stripes. This snake often inhabits coniferous forests, and is relatively aquatic.