Santa Cruz Garter Snake
Thamnophis atratus (Kennicott, 1860)
| Alternate Name | Pacific Coast Aquatic Garter Snake |
|---|---|
| Spanish Name | Culebra de Agua Nómada Occidente |
| Subspecies | 3 (see below) |
| Max. Recorded Length | 101.6 cm; 40 inches |
| Pet Trade Availability | ★★★☆ (frequently available) |
| Captivity Rating | ★★★☆ (good captive) |
Range
USA: California, Oregon.
Description
What does it look like.
(St. John says it's associated with water.)
Bartlett/Tennant: aquatic, found near creeks, streams, ponds, especially rocky streams. Small litters.
Conservation
(The snake's legal status.)
Subspecies
- Santa Cruz Garter Snake
Thamnophis atratus atratus (Kennicott, 1860) - Found in central and southern California, this subspecies has two color morphs: one with a single stripe along the back, and a three-striped morph more typical of garter snakes.
- Oregon Garter Snake
Thamnophis atratus hydrophilus Fitch, 1936 - Found in northern California and Oregon. Not nearly as striking as T. a. atratus.
- Diablo (Broad-striped) Garter Snake
Thamnophis atratus zaxanthus Boundy, 1999 - A new subspecies described in 1999 (CNAH note), T. a. zaxanthus is found in the highlands between Napa and Santa Barbara counties (whereas T. a. atratus is found along the coast).
Invalid Subspecies
- Aquatic (Coast) Garter Snake
Thamnophis atratus aquaticus Fox, 1951 - Now considered an intergrade of T. a. atratus and T. a. hydrophilus (CNAH note).
Captive Care
I have no experience with this species.
(It's done. See Rossi.)
The only one of the western aquatic species found in any numbers in the pet trade. The one-striped morph of T. a. atratus is of particular interest to garter snake breeders.
For general information on keeping garter snakes in captivity, please go to the Care section.
Sources
Bartlett, R. D. and A. Tennant. 2000. Snakes of North America: Western Region. Houston: Gulf.
Brown, P. R. 1997. A Field Guide to Snakes of California. Houston: Gulf.
Ernst, C. H. and E. M. Ernst. 2003. Snakes of the United States and Canada. Washington and London: Smithsonian Books.
Rossi, J. V. and R. Rossi. 2003. Snakes of the United States and Canada: Natural History and Care in Captivity. Malabar FL: Krieger.
Rossman, D. A., N. B. Ford and R. A. Seigel. 1996. The Garter Snakes: Evolution and Ecology. Norman OK: University of Oklahoma Press.
St. John, A. 2002. Reptiles of the Northwest. Edmonton: Lone Pine.
Snakes of the United States and Canada
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