Wandering Gartersnake
(Thamnophis elegans vagrans)
The wandering gartersnake is the only subspecies of the western terrestrial gartersnake that occurs in Utah, and they are widespread in the state. They are very opportunistic hunters, and prey on amphibians, fishes, small rodents, eggs, and other small reptiles.
Wandering gartersnakes are most abundant near riparian areas. However, they also utilize variety of other habitat types. In Southwest Utah, they are most likely observed in Zion National Park or the Pine Valley Mountains. In the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, they may occur in shaded canyons near intermittent water supplies, near the Virgin River, or in higher elevation areas like the Red Mountain Wilderness.
