Thamnophis marcianus

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iCheckered Garter Snake

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Thamnophis
Species: T. marcianus
Binomial name
Thamnophis marcianus
Baird & Girard, 1853

The Checkered Garter Snake (Thamnophis marcianus) is a species of garter snake native to the southern United States. The epithet marcianus is in honor of American Brigadier General Randolph B. Marcy, who lead surveying expeditions to the frontier areas in the mid 1800s. The Checkered Garter Snake is typically green in color, with a distinct, black checkerboard pattern down its back. It is capable of growing to lengths of 42 inches, but 28 inches is closer to average. They are typically found near permanent bodies of water, like streams and ponds.

[edit] Subspecies

There are three recognized subspecies of T. marcianus:

  • Thamnophis marcianus marcianus (Baird & Girard, 1853)
  • Thamnophis marcianus praeocularis (Bocourt, 1892)
  • Thamnophis marcianus bovalli (Dunn, 1940)


Albino Checkered Garter Snake
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Albino Checkered Garter Snake

[edit] In captivity

The Checkered Garter Snake is frequently available in the exotic pet trade, and makes a hardy captive animal. Captive breeding, while not common, is done and albino variants are being produced.

[edit] References


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