The Two-Striped Garter Snake

The Two-Striped Garter Snake is a snake that is definitely native to the San Diego area. The Two-Striped Garter Snake or also known as the Thamnophis hammondii is a specific species of snake that has been around here in the San Diego area for some time now. This type of snake actually branched off a similar type of snake very recently, and it actually became it's own species because of the amount of snakes that were produced in the amount of time that was given to the Two-Striped Garter Snake. This snake actually has a very distinctive coloring and also way of movement. The main body of the snake is a brownish or grayish color. It also has a two lines going along the side of a more yellow or orange color. This yellow or orange color actually continues to the bottom, but since the snake moves along with it's stomach, it gives the illusion that the snake has two different lines of the same color. The tongue of this snake is a red color, and when it shows to it's predators, they know that this Two-Striped Garter Snake is not messing around. When this snake is handled, it actually lets out a distinct smell, which is very foul smelling. This snake is not poisonous, and will not attack you, should you see one in the San Diego area, but it is best to only look and not touch.
So many people believe that no matter what, all snakes are poisonous. That is the furthest from the truth. This snake especially, it might look like it is poisonous, but it is not. In many cases, you can look at the snake and its properties, and you can tell if the snake is poisonous or not. More people should not look at a snake and see that they are in danger. It is a bummer when people do just assume that all snakes are bad, but here is a great case where this snake is not poisonous, and not a huge threat.