The Texas garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis annectens ) is a subspecies of the common garter snake (T. sirtalis ) endemic to the United States.
The 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.