The California Red Sided Garter (Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis) can vary in color and appearance but generally it has strips with spots on its back. The colors of it can vary from brown, blue, red or back. Some snakes have no stripes at all and may be a solid color. The California Red Sided Garter snake becomes mature at 2 years of age and mates in late March to early may. The California Red Sided Garter snake gives birth to live young. They can give birth to 7-85 young at a time and they are usually born from June to August. The California Red Sided Garter is nocturnal and feeds on salamanders, toads, frogs and even earthworms. They have a variety of habitat ranging from damp woodland to open grasslands. The California Red Sided Garter snake prefers to be in wet areas such as marshes or ponds. Around Cal Poly they are most likely going to be found near streams where there is an abundant supply of food. Garter snakes can be found all over the Americas but there are specific subspecies like the California Red Sided Garter which is found throughout California.