Red-Spotted Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis concinnus)

Description
They have a flaming red head, red spots down either side and cream to white stripes down their back.

Habitat
Garter snakes live near water. I see the red-spotted garter snake along the Willamette River and out at the wetlands area at the arboretum. In my observations thus far, I see these snakes active and out sunning themselves once the temperature gets up to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Diet
Garter snakes diet consists of frogs, toads, salamanders, earthworms and occasionally fish and mice.

In the photos below, the red-spotted snake is eating, what appears to be, a northwestern salamander.

In the photo below, I captured a red-spotted garter snake swallowing a rough-skinned newt. Its head is sticking out of the snakes mouth.

Photo Location:
Mt. Pisgah Arboretum
Eugene, OR