High Altitude Garter

Today I observed a terrestrial garter snake (Thamnophis elegans) at 10,400 feet on the top of Cerro Rubio in the Valles Calderas National Preserve near Los Alamos. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera. I know the temperatures were well below freezing up there last night and are going to get even colder tonight. Also known as wandering garter snakes, this little baby was wandering to an extent where very few snakes dare to go.