Head to head
Checkered Garter Snake vs Black-Necked Garter Snake
A checkered garter snake and a black-necked garter snake both live across the arid Southwest, yet one has adapted to handle genuine drought while the other has instead doubled down on staying close to water, an equally successful but very different answer to the same dry landscape.
| Checkered Garter Snake | Black-Necked Garter Snake | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Thamnophis marcianus | Thamnophis cyrtopsis |
| Pattern | Black-and-cream checkerboard | Dark neck blotches |
| Habitat preference | Broad arid habitat near any water source | Rocky canyon streams specifically |
| Drought tolerance | Unusually high | Moderate |
| Swimming ability | Competent | Excellent swimmer and diver |
| Diet | Amphibians, small fish, earthworms | Amphibians and fish |
| Range | Southwestern US, Mexico, Central America | Southwestern US and Mexico |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Checkered Garter Snake vs Black-Necked Garter Snake: common questions
Which garter snake handles dry conditions better?
The checkered garter snake tolerates heat and drought considerably better than most garter snake species, including the black-necked garter snake, which instead stays closely tied to rocky canyon streams and the reliable water those specific habitats provide.
Which is the better swimmer, the checkered or the black-necked garter snake?
The black-necked garter snake is the stronger swimmer and diver of the two, often entering water directly to hunt fish and amphibians, a natural fit for its close association with rocky canyon streams, while the checkered garter snake is a competent swimmer but relies less on entering water to find food.
Are either of these garter snakes dangerous?
No, both the checkered garter snake and the black-necked garter snake are entirely non-venomous and harmless to people, generally fleeing toward water or cover rather than confronting a threat when encountered.