Checkered garter snake

Checkered garter snake
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Thamnophis
Species: T. marcianus
Binomial name
Thamnophis marcianus
(Baird & Girard, 1853)
Synonyms
  • Eutainia marciana
    Baird & Girard, 1853
  • Eutaenia marciana – Bocourt, 1893
  • Thamnophis marcianus
    – Ruthven, 1907[2]

The checkered garter snake (Thamnophis marcianus) is a species of garter snake endemic to the southern United States, Mexico and Central America.

Etymology

The specific epithet, marcianus, is in honor of American Brigadier General Randolph B. Marcy, who led surveying expeditions to the frontier areas in the mid 19th century.

Description

The checkered garter snake is typically green in color, with a distinct, black checkerboard pattern down its back. It is capable of growing to a total length of 42 in (107 cm), but 28 in (71 cm) is closer to average.

Habitat

They are typically found near permanent bodies of water, such as streams and ponds, but have also been found in the semidesert region of the High Plains of West Texas.

Diet

Their diets include small frogs, toads, small fish, and earthworms.

Defensive behavior

They will strike and bite if provoked. They will also release a foul-smelling liquid from their cloacae onto attackers.

They also have been found to have mild venom in their bodies.

Subspecies

The three recognized subspecies of T. marcianus are:

Albino checkered garter snake

In captivity

The checkered garter snake is the easiest garter snake to tame. Even a wild-caught one can become tame in a few days if handled carefully. The checkered garter snake is frequently available in the exotic pet trade, and makes a hardy captive animal. It can be trained to accept mice or fish fillets as food. Captive breeding, while not common, is done, and albino variants are being produced.

References

  1. ↑ Chaves, G., Lamar, W., Porras, L.W., Solórzano, A., Sunyer, J. & Hammerson, G.A. (2013). "Thamnophis marcianus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  2. ↑ The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.

Further reading

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