The “giant” part of its name is pretty apt – adult giant garter snakes can reach a whopping 1.62 meters (5.3 feet). Sure, ...

Yellowstone National Park is home to 11 species of reptiles and amphibians. Snakes make up nearly half of that number, with several species found throughout Yellowstone’s 3,471 square miles. The park ...

Often spotted slithering through gardens, grassy yards, and forest edges, the garter snake is one of North America’s most common and misunderstood reptiles. These non-venomous snakes are easily ...

For this humble brown reptile to rebound as successfully as other endangered species, conservation history shows that it will take combined efforts from the state, zoo and wildlife refuges, and ...

The big berry manzanita is a poignant reminder of resilience amid California’s extreme weather cycles. The native shrub is ...

Celebrate California's biodiversity with the newly designated state snake and shrub: the Giant Garter Snake and Bigberry Manzanita. Learn what makes them special.