Species profile
Checkered Gartersnake
Thamnophis marcianus
Identify Checkered Gartersnake (Thamnophis marcianus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Checkered Gartersnake (Thamnophis marcianus) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 6,842 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Named for its bold black-and-white checkered pattern running along both sides.
- Found near water sources across the southwestern United States and throughout much of Mexico.
- Eats frogs, fish, toads, and earthworms — one of the most varied gartersnake diets.
- Like all gartersnakes, it gives birth to live young rather than laying eggs.
- Releases a pungent musk from cloacal glands when threatened by predators.
Where Checkered Gartersnake are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Checkered Gartersnake
Background
The checkered garter snake (Thamnophis marcianus) is a species of garter snake endemic to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Checkered Gartersnake article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other reptiles on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Checkered Gartersnake?
Checkered Gartersnake (Thamnophis marcianus) 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 Checkered Gartersnake?
Checkered Gartersnake is Thamnophis marcianus.
Is Checkered Gartersnake regulated for fishing?
Yes — Checkered 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 Checkered Gartersnake?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Checkered 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.