Narrow-headed garter snake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Narrow-headed garter snake |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thamnophis
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| Species: |
rufipunctatus
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| Synonyms | |
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The narrow-headed garter snake (scientific name: Thamnophis rufipunctatus) is a type of garter snake. It lives only in the southwestern United States and nearby northwestern Mexico. People also call it the narrowhead garter snake or narrowhead watersnake.
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Where the Narrow-headed Garter Snake Lives
This snake can be found in the states of Arizona and New Mexico in the USA. In Mexico, it lives in the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, and Durango.
Snake Homes and Habits
Narrow-headed garter snakes like to live near river banks or streams. They are one of the garter snakes that spend the most time in water. They are very good swimmers and hunters in their watery homes.
What the Snake Looks Like
These snakes are usually blue-grey to olive-grey in color. Some can also be greenish or brown. They have brown, orange, or black spots on their backs. Adult snakes are about 32 to 44 inches (81 to 112 cm) long. They have special scales on their heads and bodies that help scientists identify them.
What Narrow-headed Garter Snakes Eat
These snakes are mostly fish eaters. This means their main food is fish! They hunt different kinds of fish like dace and chubs. They also eat both native and introduced trout. Sometimes, they might even eat salamanders if they find them.
Is This Snake in Danger?
The narrow-headed garter snake has become less common in some areas. However, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) says it is a species of "Least Concern". This means it is not in serious danger right now. The IUCN believes this because the snake lives in a wide area and probably has a large population. Also, its numbers are not dropping too quickly.
However, we don't know much about its status in Mexico. If its numbers were dropping a lot there, it might be considered more at risk.
The main reasons for the snake's decline include:
- New species being introduced, like bullfrogs and certain fish or crayfish. These new animals can compete for food or even eat the snakes.
- Loss of habitat or changes to their homes. This happens when rivers are changed or polluted.
- Sometimes, people harm them or collect too many of them.
Types of Narrow-headed Garter Snakes
Scientists sometimes recognize different types, called subspecies, of the narrow-headed garter snake.
- T. r. nigronuchalis
- T. r. rufipunctatus
- T. r. unilabialis
However, many scientists now think that T. r. nigronuchalis is its own separate species, called Thamnophis nigronuchalis. The status of T. r. unilabialis is still being studied. Recent genetic tests suggest it might also be its own species, Thamnophis unilabialis.
