Thamnophis sumichrasti, Cope, 1866

Near Tlanchinol, Hidalgo, Mexico

The photograph in the upper left hand corner depicts the extent of habitat alteration occuring throughout much of Mexico's most spectacular habitats.  This is one year after the cloud forest was cut and removed for cattle grazing and power lines.

However, we try to make the most of our opportunities and the photo at the upper right shows our colleague Fernando Rios searching the insides of a rotten log for any hereptological specimens.

Both of the garter snakes shown here are the same species (Thamnophis sumichrasti) and were found inside the same rotting log.  This species is variable with some specimens bearing crossbands while others are spotted.  This species appeared to be common in the recently cleared area.  Perhaps the garter snakes will prosper in their modified habitat better than many of the other cloud forest inhabitants.