The Checkered Garter Snake ranges throughout the western 2/3 of Texas, western Oklahoma southern Kansas, and parts of New Mexico, southern Arizona and extreme southeastern California. It also is found throughout much of northern Mexico. This harmless snake typically reaches an adult length of 18 to 24 inches but the record length for the species is 42½ inches. It is often found in or around residential lawns, flowerbeds, gardens and fish ponds. Throughout the arid southwestern U.S., it seldom strays far from some source of water. Like most garter snakes, they feed mainly on frogs, toads, tadpoles, small fish, earthworms, leeches and occasionally mice.
Return to Other Non-Venomous Texas Snakes Index Page.
Return to The Venomous Snakes of Texas Home Page.
© 1997-2006 Gerald & Susan Keown
All images used on this site are used with permission of the photographer and are protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited without written consent of the individual photographer.
