Garter Snakes in Arizona

Garter snakes belong to the scientific genus Thamnophis, which consists of ribbon snakes as well as garters. Arizona is home to five different garter snake species. The snakes tend to be slim-bodied and medium length on average. Garter snakes are non-venomous snakes that kill prey by constriction.

  1. Black-Necked Garter Snake

    • The black-necked garter snake is found throughout southeastern and central Arizona in a range of desert, forest and grassland habitats. It is a medium-sized species that grows to 42 inches in length. It is dark olive-gray in color with longitudinal cream to yellowish stripes along the spine and either side. It gets its name from dark black blotches at the rear of its head.

    Terrestrial Garter Snake

    • The terrestrial garter snakes lives in the northern half of the state in a range of natural habitats including desert scrub, forests and wetlands. It grows to around 3 feet in length with a slender gray-brown to orange colored body. The snake has thin, cream-colored vertical stripes along its back and sides.

    Mexican Garter Snake

    • This snake is found in a few small populations in the south and central regions of Arizona. It is most common around wetland areas that border drier desert scrub and grasslands. It grows to just under 4 feet in length with a slim body and large head. It ranges from reddish to olive brown in color with thick, cream-colored stripes along the spine and either side of its body.

    Checkered Garter Snake

    • The checkered garter snake lives in southeast Arizona in a variety of woodland, desert scrub and grassland habitats. It grows to around 43 inches in length and has a slender olive-green to tan-colored body. Like other garters, it has longitudinal pale stripes along the body but its base color is blotchy and appears almost checkered.

    Narrow-Headed Garter Snake

    • This snake lives in few small populations in central Arizona near rocky streams and desert scrub as well as more forested areas. It grows to just under 4 feet in length with a gray-green body. It has darker mottled patterns running the length of its body and has no stripes like the state's other garters. Also unlike other garters who have large heads compared to their bodies, it has a narrow and pointed head.