Checkered Garter Snake

Scientific Name: Thamnophis Marcianus Marcianus

These snakes, which are common in the southern regions of the United States, belong to the garter snake species.These snakes are green and have unique black checkerboard patterns running along their backs. They have slender bodies, which narrow towards the end and the diameter of their heads is slightly larger than the rest of their bodies. They have white lines running along their bodies and this makes them appear unique. Checkered Garter Snakes grow up to a length of twenty-eight inches; some of them can grow up to a length of forty-two inches, though this is a rare occurrence. It is rare to find an adult Checkered Garter Snake shorter than twenty-two inches, but it is possible to find one that ischeckered garter snake large almost forty inches long.

Checkered Garter Snakes Are Beautiful Creatures

Facts About Checkered Garter Snakes

Geographic Location

Habitat

Checkered Garter Snakes live near permanent water bodies such as streams, lakes, rivers and ponds. During the night, they live in the bushes that surround these water bodies and during the day, they rest along the rivers by immersing themselves partially into the water.

Behavior

These snakes are the easiest to tame among all the other classifications of garter snakes because they do not exhibit aggressive mannerisms unless disturbed. These snakes rarely bite, but when offended, they may release a foul-smelling liquid from their mouths. Many people confuse this to be snake-spit though they produce them from their stomachs. These snakes feed on small fish, small frogs, toads, earthworms and salamanders. If a person trains them, they can also eat fish fillet and small mice; they only feed on small animals along the water bodies because they are easier to swallow and digest. The Checkered Garter Snakes eat their food by killing them and then swallowing them whole. The trunk muscles crush the food thus making it easier for it to digest it.