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Western Terrestrial Garter Snake

Thamnophis elegans

CA Special Concern

California Species of Special Concern due to habitat loss and localized population declines

Plants that support Western Terrestrial Garter Snake

10 plants

Birdfoot Cliffbrake

Pellaea mucronata var. mucronata

moderate

fern

uses fern cover and moist microhabitats for thermoregulation and prey hunting

Bay Area native

Blue Wildrye

Elymus glaucus

moderate

grass

Utilizes dense grass clumps for refuge and thermoregulation; important microhabitat

Bay Area native

California Melic

Melica californica

moderate

grass

dense grass clumps provide shelter and hunting habitat for small vertebrates; active April-October

Bay Area native

Cliff Sword Fern

Polystichum imbricans subsp. imbricans

moderate

fern

uses frond structure as spring emergence and basking habitat after winter dormancy

Bay Area native

Giant Chain Fern

Woodwardia fimbriata

moderate

fern

Dense fern cover provides thermoregulation and hunting grounds for amphibian prey

Bay Area native

Oakland Mariposa Lily

Calochortus umbellatus

moderate

geophyte

Bulb corms and surrounding soil used for hibernacula and refuge

Bay Area native

Santa Barbara Sedge

Carex barbarae

high

grass

dense rhizomatous growth provides refugium and overwintering shelter

Bay Area native

Southern Humboldt Lily

Lilium humboldtii var. ocellatum

moderate

perennial herb

Uses dense lily stands for refuge and thermoregulation

Bay Area native

Threeray Tarweed

Deinandra lobbii

moderate

annual

refuge among basal vegetation

Bay Area native

Western Leatherwood

Dirca occidentalis

moderate

shrub

Dense riparian shrub provides basking and refuge habitat in streamside corridors

Bay Area native