The Texas garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis annectens ) is a subspecies of the common garter snake (T. sirtalis ) endemic to the United States.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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Ambush predatorAmbush predators are carnivorous animals that capture or trap prey by stealth, luring, or by (typically instinctive) strategies utilizing an elemen...
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OvoviviparousOvoviviparity, ovovivipary, ovivipary, or aplacental viviparity is a term used as a "bridging" form of reproduction between egg-laying oviparous an...
No
Non-venomousGe
Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
No
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Texas garter snake is a subspecies of the Common garter snake. It is harmless and is easily mistaken for other garter snake species. It has a greenish-black back with a distinctive bright-orange or red stripe down the center and yellowish stripes on either side of the body that extend through the second, third, and fourth rows of scales above the belly plates.
These snakes are found predominantly in central Texas, with disjunct populations in Kansas and South Dakota. They occur in a wide range of habitats but are usually close to a water source. They are typically found in stream-side vegetation or in damp soil near bodies of water.
Texas garter snakes are generally solitary and diurnal creatures. They are terrestrial and usually shelter under old metal, or wood, underground, and in plants. These snakes hunt their prey by ambushing; they have excellent vision and a keen sense of smell which help them in detecting potential prey. Texas garter snakes are generally not aggressive, although younger specimens may strike when cornered. If handled, they will often flail about wildly to try to escape and release a foul-smelling musk from their cloacas.
Texas garter snakes are carnivores and prey mainly on frogs, toads, worms, mollusks, and amphibians. They will also hunt small birds, rodents, and fish.
Females of this species are ovoviviparous and give birth to 20-40 live young. They are fully independent at birth and able to take care of themselves. They will become reproductively mature between 1.5 years to 2 years of age.
This species doesn’t face any major threats at present.
The Texas garter snake subspecies is not included in the IUCN Red List and its conservation status has not been evaluated. According to IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Common garter snake species probably exceeds 1,000,000 individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
These snakes help humans in controlling pests and in turn, serve as a food resource to natural predators such as raccoons, hawks, herons, foxes, and other snakes.