Juvenile snakes often eat earthworms.
The checkered garter snake is a species of snake with distinctive black markings. These snakes are found in areas of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Kansas in the United States, as well as Mexico and Central America. The scientific name for the checkered garter snake is Thamnophis marcianus.
Typically between 18 and 42.5 inches (47.7 and 108 cm) in length, checkered garter snakes are shades of brown or greenish-brown. They have a whitish-yellow stripe down their backs that runs the length of their bodies, pale yellow bellies, and are covered in black checkmarks. Their scales are keeled, meaning these snakes are rougher to the touch and more colorful than snakes with smooth, shiny scales.
In the United States, checkered garter snakes are found in areas of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Kansas.
The checkered garter snake does not have a definite period of activity. In cooler regions, this snake is usually more active during the day. On the other hand, in warmer regions, it will be more frequent at night. Chess garters are strong swimmers and may dive into the water to avoid the perception of danger. When handled, they often release strong-smelling, musky fecal matter as a defense mechanism.
Checkered Garter Snakes are a type of garter found in the western and southwestern states.
Despite primarily living in arid regions, Checkered Garter Snakes are usually found near a water source. They eat lizards, fish, invertebrates, and small mammals, but their favorite food is amphibians. Although these snakes are considered harmless to humans, they do have a toxin in their saliva that is lethal to their prey. The toxin can cause irritation in humans if bitten. However, chess leagues are considered to be very docile and rarely bite.
Unlike many other snake species, garter snakes live young. Between June and August, a women’s chess league will give birth to 6 to 18 children. Juveniles are between 8 and 9.25 inches (20.3 and 23.5 cm) long. Juvenile snakes often eat earthworms.
There are three subspecies of the checkered garter snake. Thamnophis marcianus bovallii is found mainly in Nicaragua and Thamnophis marcianus praeocularis in some regions of Central America. Thamnophis marcianus marcianus, or Marcy’s checkered garter snakes, are the main subspecies found in the United States and northern Mexico. This species is often sold as a pet and displays an albino color form.
Although garter snakes are generally common and this garter snake is a popular pet, in Kansas the checkered garter snake is considered an endangered species. It is listed as protected under the Kansas Nongame and Endangered Species Act. Areas of land in southern Kansas have been set aside to preserve their habitat.