aquatic garter snake

Thamnophis atratus

Member of garter snakes (genus Thamnophis)
natricine snakes (subfamily Natricinae)
colubrid snakes (family Colubridae)
snakes (suborder Serpentes)
reptiles (class Reptilia)
animals (kingdom Animalia)

There are no other wild members of this species in the bay area.

santa cruz aquatic garter snake
Thamnophis atratus ssp. atratus

santa cruz aquatic garter snake
Thamnophis atratus ssp. atratus

yellow top stripe
faint yellow or missing side stripes
dark/black body with no red spots
Santa Cruz mountains south of Pacifica and west of Highway 17 and Santa Cruz

north and east in the outer coastal range have significant intergrades among multiple subspecies

diablo range garter snake
Thamnophis atratus ssp. zaxanthus

diablo range garter snake
Thamnophis atratus ssp. zaxanthus

orange top stripe
yellow side stripes
dark/black body with no red spots
Diablo range

2 observed taxons / 1 key

Chris’s observations: 10 (all are research grade)

Locations:

Henry Coe SP: 3
Big Basin SP
El Corte de Madera OSP
Foothills Nature Preserve, Palo Alto
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Huddart CP
Mt. Madonna SP
Windy Hill OSP

Months:

Feb.: 1
Mar.: 0
Apr.: 4
May: 1
Jun.: 2
Jul.: 1
Aug.: 0
Sep.: 0
Oct.: 1

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Taxon info: iNaturalist

Bay Area species: iNaturalist