Artwork / Crime Against Nature / Love-in (Red-sided Garter Snake)

colorful and dynamic painting of garter snakes by queer artist Gwenn Seemel
Gwenn Seemel
Love-in (Red-sided Garter Snake)
2012
acrylic on panel
10 x 10 inches

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Some boys have sex with boys and girls.

When red-sided garter snakes emerge from winter hibernation to mate, they are cold. The first male snakes to arrive at the surface use the sun’s heat to raise their body temperature. The next wave of snakes—also males—attract the warm males with a perfume that all snakes exude when exiting the den. Warm and cold males writhe around in mating balls, waiting for the appearance of the females who will also use the perfume to announce their presence.

And some boys prefer boys to girls.

See all the images and text by downloading or purchasing Crime Against Nature, the book.

snake painting by Gwenn Seemel
detail image