Wildlife North America . com North American Animals - mamals, birds, reptiles, insects |
Checkered Garter Snake (Thamnophis marcianus marcianus)
Checkered Garter Snake Photograph by LA Dawson. Some rights reserved. (view image details) 
Albino Checkered Garter Snake Photograph by LA Dawson. Some rights reserved. (view image details)
CHECKERED GARTER SNAKE FACTS
DescriptionThe Checkered Garter Snake is typically tan, brown or greenish with large black blotches in a distinctive checkered pattern down its back. There are yellowish stripes on the back and lower sides between the rows of checkers. The head is not much wider than the neck. There is a dark blotch on each side of the head with a lighter area between the blotch and the corner of the mouth. The underside is pale without markings or blotched with black. It is a good swimmer and may dive when disturbed. Size Average length about 50cm - 70cm. Can grow to 105cm. Environment Found in grassland, semi-arid land, usually near permanent water, like streams, ponds, rivers, irrigation ditches. Food frogs, toads, small fish, fish, lizards, small mammals and invertebrates. Breeding Bears live young from May to October. Range Found in south east California, southern Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and south into Mexico. Notes Garter Snakes have toxins in their saliva and the bite can produce mild reaction in humans. They are not considered dangerous to humans, although they excrete a foul smelling musk when handled. The Checkered Garter Snake is sold in the reptile pet trade, and is quite hardy in captivity. It can be bred in captivity and some albino variants are being produced. Classification
Relatives in same Genus Butler's Garter Snake (T. butleri) Blackneck Garter Snake (T. cyrtopsis) Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (T. elegans) Coast Garter Snake (T. elegans terrestris) Two-Striped Garter Snake (T. hammondii) Redstripe Ribbon Snake (T. proximus rubrilineatus) Eastern Ribbon Snake (T. sauritus sauritus) Northern Ribbon Snake (T. sauritus septentrionalis) Texas Garter Snake (T. sirtalis annectens) California Red-Sided Garter Snake (T. sirtalis infernalis) Common Garter Snake (T. sirtalis sirtalis) Home | Mammals | Reptiles | Birds | Insects | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Contact Us |