Garter Snake
Animals of the Canadian Badlands
Garter snakes range in length from 60 to 80 cm. Their colour
varies greatly, from green or grey to almost black, but they
usually have noticeable side and back stripes. The patterning of
the garter snake allows it to blend into its surroundings, which is
generally quite varied and irregularly coloured. The striping makes
it less visible when moving through the vegetation - the continuous
line belying its movement. Garter snakes give birth to live young
in late summer. Although one litter was recorded at 98 babies, most
garter snakes give birth to between 20 and 40 babies per litter.
Despite their harmless nature, many people fear garter snakes. They
eat earthworms, frogs, and mice, among other things. In turn, they
provide an important food source for many birds and mammals. The
redtailed hawk, in particular, relies on the collection of snakes
to help feed their young during the nesting season.
This cache is part of the Legacy Trail produced by the Canadian
Badlands Geocaching Association for the Best of the Bad Mega
Event.
The Legacy Trail
The Legacy Trail is a collection of geocaches that circles its
way over 100 miles on country roads traversing some of the most
scenic and spectacular landscape in this part of the Canadian
Badlands. A large number of caches in a variety of types, sizes and
difficulty are placed on the Trail. Every town, village and hamlet
in the Canadian Badlands has its own cache. Some caches were named
after local historic events and people, as well as celebrities who
grew up in this area. Some caches were sponsored by geocachers who
attended the Best of the Bad Mega Event. The Legacy Trail was
produced by the Canadian Badlands Geocaching Association for the
Best of the Bad Mega Event.
The Canadian Badlands
The Canadian Badlands in Alberta are like no other place on
earth, home to the world's most extensive dinosaur bonebeds,
badlands and hoodoos, and a world-class museum that shelters a 75
million-year-old legacy. The region is rich in culturally and
historically significant sites that tell the story of the First
Nations people and early settlers, and of a complex and diverse
modern society that is still deeply rooted in the spirit of the
frontier.
