Checkered Garter Snake

About the Checkered Garter Snake

The checkered garter snake (Thamnophis marcianus) is a species of garter snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. There are two recognized subspecies.

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. The checkered garter snake is typically greenish in color, with a distinct, black checkerboard pattern down its back. It is capable of growing to a total length (tail included) of 42 inches (107 cm), but is usually 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 cm).

The preferred natural habitats of Thamnophis marcianus are desert, grassland, shrubland, and forest, usually close to water, at altitudes from sea level to 2,200 m (7,200 ft). The diet of Thamnophis marcianus includes small frogs, toads, small fish, and earthworms. If kept as a pet, it can be trained on live or freeze-thawed mice, but even so, it is a fussy eater and can suddenly start to refuse mice at any point.

Unlike most garter snakes, the checkered... Wikipedia →