Description

In 2003 Roger Conant published an article, based on fieldwork dating back to the early 1960s, identifying seven new subspecies endemic to lakes in Mexico’s transvolcanic belt.

Subspecies

El Carmen Garter Snake

Thamnophis eques carmenensis Conant, 2003

(description)

Atotonilco-Cajititlan Garter Snake

Thamnophis eques diluvialis Conant, 2003

Found at “Las Lagunas Atotonilco and Cajititlán and several isolated localities.”

Cuitzeo Garter Snake

Thamnophis eques cuitzeoensis Conant, 2003

Melanistic subspecies from the Lago de Cuitzeo area.

Southern Mexican Garter Snake

Thamnophis eques eques (Reuss, 1834)

Found from Veracruz to Zacatecas.

Zacapu Garter Snake

Thamnophis eques insperatus Conant, 2003

(description). Known from a single specimen.

Northern Mexican Garter Snake

Thamnophis eques megalops (Kennicott, 1860)

Found from Hidalgo to Arizona.

Chapala Garter Snake

Thamnophis eques obscurus Conant, 2003

(description)

Patzcuaro Garter Snake

Thamnophis eques patzcuaroensis Conant, 2003

(description)

Magdalena Garter Snake

Thamnophis eques scotti Conant, 2003

(description)

Blue-striped Mexican Garter Snake

Thamnophis eques virgatenuis Conant, 1963

Found in Chihuaha and Durango at high elevations only; discontinuous range.

Conservation

Endangered in Arizona and New Mexico, where this species has reportedly been in dramatic decline.

Captive Care

Rossi and Rossi (2003) report very few snakes of this species in captivity. There appears to have been an uptick in interest since then, however; a few breeders appear to be working with several subspecies, and the Cuitzeo Garter Snake in particular seems to be drawing special attention.

It appears to be an unproblematic captive that should be kept at temperatures appropriate to its range; it’s even reportedly a good candidate for switching to a mouse-based diet. However, its protected status throughout its U.S. range, coupled with the general unavailability of snakes from Mexico, make encounters with this species a rare occurrence in the pet and hobbyist trade, though that may be changing.

The Dutch garter snake breeder Steven Bol has pages about the captive care of the Cuitzeo, Zacapu, Chapala and Magdalena Garter Snakes.

If you have experience with this species and would like to share, please contact me.

For general information on keeping garter snakes in captivity, please see the Care Guide.

Articles and News

• 22 May 2012 Seven New Subspecies of Mexican Garter Proposed in 2003
• 26 Sep 2006 Mexican Garter Snake Denied ESA Protection
• 11 May 2006 Listing the Mexican Garter as Endangered
• 4 Jan 2006 USFWS to Review Mexican Garter Snake
• 23 Aug 2005 USFWS Will Consider Protecting Mexican Garter Snake
• 17 May 2005 Conservation Group Sues USFWS over Garter Snake Status

Sources