| Thamnophis rufipunctatus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Sauropsida |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Acrochordidae |
| Genus: | Thamnophis |
| Species: | T. rufipunctatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Thamnophis rufipunctatus (Baird and Girard, 1853) |
|
Thamnophis rufipunctatus is a threatened species of garter snake that is commonly found in Arizona by river banks or streams. The snake is blue-grey to olive-grey or greenish to brown and it has brown, orange, or black spots that are on the back. The species usually sheds its skin when it is in water. The length of adults are 32 - 44 inches. The snake eats trout and salamanders. The species common names are Narrow-headed garter snake, Narrowhead garter snake, and Narrowhead watersnake. A major cause of the rapid decline of this species of garter snake is the introduction and subsequent invasion of non-native crayfish into their habitat, which feed on both the neo-natal snakes themselves, and the native fish that serve as the Narrow-headed garter snake's primary food source.