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California Red-Sided Garter Snake

California Red-Sided Garter Snake line art illustration (click image to enlarge)

California Red-Sided Garter Snake full color illustration (click image to enlarge)

Artist's notes:

The California Red-Sided Garter Snake was completed on 11.27.2011. I came across this colorful snake while researching another California garter snake. I was unfamiliar with the species, but when I saw the lovely coloration I knew I had to render this lovely reptile. As always, the scales and patterns of snakes gave me a challenge, but I believe the drawing turned out pretty well. I love the position of the head, which in some snakes can get lost when rendered alongside the body. The drawing is based on a photo by the talented wildlife photographer Jack Goldfarb.

Information about the California Red-Sided Garter Snake:

The California Red-Sided Garter snake is a non-venomous reptile native to much of the northern, central and southern coastal regions of California, and up the coast into Oregon and Washington. Adults can grow up to about 55 inches long, but usually they are about 36 inches or smaller. This snake is mostly active during the daylight hours. While this snake has no venom, when handled it can emit a foul musky odor and bite. Like other garter snakes it feeds on smaller amphibians, fish, birds, and their eggs, small mammals, other reptiles, and small invertebrates like earthworms, slugs, and leeches. It can be found in a wide variety of habitats including mixed forests, grasslands, chaparral, open fields near farmlands usually near a pond, stream or marsh. The snake is an excellent swimmer and will often use water to escape when threatened.