Species

When people think of garter snakes, the common variety often comes to mind: a small slender green snake with yellow stripes running down its back. Actually there are a large number of garter snake species, each with its own set of morphs that can alter its normal appearance. These species can be found in different places throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While most are virtually unknown in the pet trade, they are all important parts of the evolution and biology of garter snakes as a whole.

The sheer number of garter snake species and morphs has caused me to subdivide this page. Click on each species to be taken to a list of subspecies and morphs, with individual descriptions and localities! Note: not included here are species of ribbon snake, which also fall under the genus Thamnophis.

Thamnophis atratus

Thamnophis brachystoma

Thamnophis butleri

Thamnophis chrysocephalus

Thamnophis couchii

Thamnophis cyrtopsis

Thamnophis elegans

Thamnophis eques

Thamnophis errans

Thamnophis exsul

Thamnophis fulvus

Thamnophis gigas

Thamnophis godmani

Thamnophis hammondi

Thamnophis marcianus

Thamnophis melanogaster

Thamnophis mendax

Thamnophis nigronuchalis

Thamnophis ordinoides

Thamnophis postremus

Thamnophis pulchrilatus

Thamnophis radix

Thamnophis rifipunctatus

Thamnophis scalaris

Thamnophis sirtalis

Thamnophis sumichrasti

Thamnophis validus