Final answer:
Garter snakes, being ectotherms, use rocks of medium to thick dimensions in the evenings to regulate their body temperature by capturing residual warmth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the experiments of Huey and colleagues (1989) regarding thermoregulation in garter snakes, these reptiles which are ectotherms, tend to exhibit specific behaviors to regulate their body temperature. During the evenings, to avoid the cooler temperatures, garter snakes are most often observed on or under rocks that are of medium (20-40 cm) thickness or thick (>40 cm) thickness. This behavior allows them to capture heat from the rocks that have been warmed by the sun during the day, thus aiding in maintaining their body temperature.