Species profile
Aquatic Gartersnake
Thamnophis atratus
Identify Aquatic Gartersnake (Thamnophis atratus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
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
Jurisdictions with rules for Aquatic Gartersnake
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.
Is Aquatic Gartersnake regulated for fishing?
Yes — Aquatic Gartersnake has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
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.