Species profile
Aquatic Gartersnake
Thamnophis atratus
Identify Aquatic Gartersnake (Thamnophis atratus) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules iPhone app.
At a glance
Aquatic Gartersnake (Thamnophis atratus) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 3,459 research-grade iNaturalist observations across the species' range.
Notable details
- Highly aquatic, it actively hunts fish, frogs, and salamanders directly in the water.
- Found almost exclusively along streams and ponds in coastal California and southern Oregon.
- Adults typically measure 18–36 inches in length.
- When threatened, it releases a pungent musk from glands near its tail base.
Where Aquatic Gartersnake are seen
Background
The aquatic garter snake (Thamnophis atratus) is a species of colubrid snake. Three subspecies are currently recognized.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Aquatic Gartersnake article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Frequently asked questions
What is Aquatic Gartersnake?
Aquatic Gartersnake (Thamnophis atratus) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Aquatic Gartersnake?
Aquatic Gartersnake is Thamnophis atratus.
Are there fishing rules for Aquatic Gartersnake?
Aquatic Gartersnake does not currently have published fishing rules in CatchRules' curated jurisdictions. Identification, range, and habitat are still tracked above.
How can I identify Aquatic Gartersnake?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Aquatic Gartersnake along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.