| Southern Durango spotted garter snake | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Thamnophis |
| Species: | T. nigronuchalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Thamnophis nigronuchalis Thompson, 1957 | |
The Southern Durango spotted garter snake (Thamnophis nigronuchalis) is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. It is endemic to the state of Durango, Mexico.
This is a heavy-bodied, medium sized garter snake. It has an oval-shaped head with two supralabial scales, two preocular scales, and a distinct black blotch on the dorsal surface of its neck. It has 149-165 ventral and 63-70 caudal scales. Ventral scales are heavily pigmented, often forming an irregular black stripe. The dorsal pattern consists of rufous-colored spots outlined in black in 5-10 rows, with no dorsal or lateral stripes. [2]
While it is now considered a valid species, [3] some authorities have classified this snake as a subspecies of the narrow-headed garter snake under the name Thamnophis rufipunctatus nigronuchalis. [4]
The specific name nigronuchalis references the Latin word nigro meaning black, and nuchal meaning of the nape, and is derived from the black neck patch characteristic of the species. [2]
This snake is endemic to Durango state in Mexico, [5] where it is found in wet meadows and riparian areas at altitudes of 8500–9000 feet. [2] It appears to be restricted to high elevation drainage basins of the Sierra Madre Occidental. [6]
This species has been documented to eat earthworms and amphibians, including Rana pipiens and Hyla species. [2]
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 Texas garter snake is a subspecies of the common garter snake. The subspecies, which belongs to the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae, is native to the western United States.
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.
Butler's garter snake is a species of garter snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to North America.
The two-striped garter snake is a species of aquatic garter snake, which is endemic to western North America.
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.
The aquatic garter snake is a species of colubrid snake. Three subspecies are currently recognized.
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.
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.
Godman's garter snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to southern Mexico, and was first described by Albert Günther in 1894.
The blackbelly garter snake is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. It is found in Mexico.
The Mexican wandering garter snake is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. It is endemic to Mexico.
