Reptiles
Checkered Garter Snake
Thamnophis marcianus · also called checkered garter snakes
Along the edge of a desert stock tank, a checkered garter snake moves through territory dry enough to challenge most of its garter snake relatives, its bold checkerboard pattern the clearest sign of a species built specifically to handle heat other garter snakes simply can’t.
Overview
The checkered garter snake, Thamnophis marcianus, is a non-venomous snake native to arid and semi-arid habitat across the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. Its distinctive checkerboard pattern and unusually strong drought tolerance set it apart from most of its garter snake relatives, which typically favour wetter, more temperate habitat.
A garter snake built for the desert
Where most garter snakes stay close to consistently moist habitat, the checkered garter snake has adapted to genuinely arid conditions instead, proving that this widespread group of snakes can handle far more heat and dryness than its reputation usually suggests.
Status
Least Concern — widespread and stable across suitable arid habitat throughout the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America.
Checkered Garter Snake: common questions
Why can the checkered garter snake survive in such dry habitat?
The checkered garter snake tolerates heat and drought considerably better than many other garter snake species, an adaptation that allows it to thrive across arid and semi-arid habitat in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America, even though it still relies on staying relatively close to available water sources such as ponds, canals, and stock tanks.
How can you identify a checkered garter snake?
A checkered garter snake displays a distinctive checkerboard pattern of dark blotches against a cream or yellowish background running down its body, a visually distinct pattern that sets it apart from the more simply striped patterns typical of several other garter snake species.
Is the checkered garter snake dangerous?
No, the checkered garter snake is entirely non-venomous and poses no danger to people, generally fleeing toward water or cover rather than confronting a perceived threat when encountered.
Where does the checkered garter snake live?
The checkered garter snake is native to arid and semi-arid habitat across the southwestern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America, generally staying within reach of available water sources despite its considerable drought tolerance.