Narrow-headed garter snake | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Colubridae |
Genus: | Thamnophis |
Species: | T. rufipunctatus |
Binomial name | |
Thamnophis rufipunctatus | |
Synonyms | |
The narrow-headed garter snake, Thamnophis rufipunctatus, is a species of garter snake, endemic to the southwestern United States and adjacent northwestern Mexico. Its common names also include narrowhead garter snake and narrowhead watersnake.
It is found in Arizona and New Mexico, and in the Mexican states of Sonora, Chihuahua and Durango. [3]
It is found near river banks or streams. It is one of the most aquatic of all garter snakes. [1]
The snake is blue-grey to olive-grey, or greenish to brown, and it has brown, orange, or black spots on the back. The total length of adults is 81–112 cm (32–44 in) (about 81–112 cm). It has eight or 9 upper labial scales, one of which enters the eye, two or three preocular scales, two to four postoculars, and one anterior temporal scale. The keeled dorsal scales are arranged in 21 rows at midbody. Ventrals number 152–177; the anal plate is entire; the subcaudals number 65–87, and are divided. [4]
These snakes are piscivorous, meaning they primarily eat fish. Their diet includes dace, chubs, and both native and introduced trout. They might occasionally prey on salamanders. [5]
The snake has declined in parts of its range, but the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified it as of "Least concern" because of its wide range, presumably large population, and because the rate of decline is not high. However, its status in Mexico is poorly known; were it in a decline there, it might qualify for a category of higher risk. [1]
The decline is attributed to introduced species (bullfrogs Lithobates catesbeianus, fishes, crayfish), habitat loss and alteration, and sometimes, needless killing and excessive collecting. [1]
Sometimes three subspecies are recognized, including the nominate subspecies:
However, T. r. nigronuchalis is now commonly held as a full species, i.e., Thamnophis nigronuchalis , [7] [8] whereas the status of T. r. unilabialis is more ambiguous; most recent molecular evidence suggests it is a full species as well (Thamnophis unilabialis). [9]
Boa is a genus of boas found in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Five extant species, and one extinct, are currently recognized.
Garter snake is the common name for small to medium-sized snakes belonging to the genus Thamnophis in the family Colubridae. Native to North and Central America, species in the genus Thamnophis can be found in all of the lower 48 United States, and nearly all of the Canadian provinces south of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut—with the exception of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. They are found from the subarctic plains of west-central Canada east through Ontario and Quebec; from the Maritime Provinces and south to Florida, across the southern and central U.S. into the arid regions of the southwest and México, Guatemala and south to the neotropics and Costa Rica.
The San Francisco garter snake is a slender multi-colored subspecies of the common garter snake. Designated as an endangered subspecies since the year 1967, it is endemic to San Mateo County and the extreme northern part of coastal Santa Cruz County in California.
The checkered garter snake is a species of garter snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America.
The plains garter snake is a species of garter snake native to most of the central United States as far north as Canada and as far south as Texas. It has a distinctive orange or yellow stripe from its head to tail, and the rest of its body is mainly a gray-green color. The snake is commonly found living near water sources such as streams and ponds, but can also be found in urban areas and vacant lots. Although the IUCN lists the species as "Least Concern", some states have given it their own special status. This species is mildly venomous, although the venom is not toxic to humans.
Achalinus werneri, also known commonly as the Amami odd-scaled snake and the Amami Takachiho snake, is a species of snake in the family Xenodermatidae. The species is endemic to the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. There are no subspecies that are currently recognized.
The two-striped garter snake is a species of aquatic garter snake, which is endemic to western North America.
The coffee worm snake is a harmless blind snake species found in Mexico and Guatemala. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Thamnophis copei, Cope's mountain meadow snake, is a vulnerable species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species was originally described by Alfredo Dugès in 1897, and is endemic to Mexico. It is the type species of the genus AdelophisDugès, 1879.
Fox's mountain meadow snake, also known commonly as culebra-de vega de Fox and pradera de Fox in Mexican Spanish, is a species of viviparous snake in the family Colubridae. The species, which was described by Douglas A. Rossman and Richard M. Blaney in 1968, is native to northwestern Mexico.
The western terrestrial garter snake is a western North American species of colubrid snake. At least five subspecies are recognized.
Thamnophis cyrtopsis, the blackneck garter snake, is a species of garter snake of the genus Thamnophis. It is native to the southwestern United States, Mexico and Guatemala, and can be found in a wide range of different habitats, often near water sources.
Thamnophis proximus, commonly known as the western ribbon snake, is a species of garter snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the western United States, Mexico, and Central America. The species has six recognized subspecies.
Thamnophis brachystoma, commonly known as the shorthead garter snake or short-headed gartersnake, is a small species of colubrid snake. The species is endemic to the north-eastern United States.
The blackbelly garter snake is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. It is found in Mexico.
The Tamaulipan montane garter snake is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. It is endemic to the Sierra Madre Oriental of Tamaulipas, Mexico, where it has been found between 1,100 and 1,600 meters elevation.
The Mexican garter snake is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. It is found in Mexico and in the United States. This essentially harmless snake is semi-aquatic and most of the 10 recognized subspecies are restricted to lake basins in Mexico.
Sumichrast's garter snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Mexico.
The Southern Durango spotted garter snake is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. It is endemic to the state of Durango, Mexico.
The Mexican wandering garter snake is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. It is endemic to Mexico.