April 2, 2019

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I'm known as a Garter Snake
I have a dark body and three yellow stripes.
You cannot tell that I'm non-venomous
By looking in my eyes.

Note: Although Garter snakes are non-venomous, it is a myth that you can determine if a snake is venomous based on the shape of their pupils. For example, although venomous pit vipers can be usually be identified by the fact that their pupils are vertical slits, the Coral snake has round eyes but is also venomous. 

Sources:  Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia - Eastern Garter Snake
What shape are venomous snakes eyes?

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 18, 2017

Location: Cocoa

I'm an adult Garter Snake,
But why is my eye milky blue?
I get like this right before I shed my skin -
In a few days I'll look shiny and new.

But why do I shed my skin at all you ask?
Actually, your skin's kind of like mine -
Humans shed their skin in tiny bits,
I replace mine all at at the same time.

(Disclaimer: This is a picture I took a while ago but the subject of why does a snake have a milky blue eye came up, so I thought I would post this picture and explain it.)

Sources: Coexist With Snakes

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 29, 2017

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, yellow trail

I'm an immature Garter snake,
I have round eyes, so you know I'm not the pit viper type.
When I grow up I'll give birth to live young, not lay eggs,
And I'll have yellow and brown horizontal stripes.

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson