The Mexican garter snake (''Thamnophis eques'') is a species of snake of the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Colubridae Colubridae (, commonly known as colubrids , from la, coluber, 'snake') is a family of snakes. With 249 genera, it is the largest snake family. The earliest species of the family date back to the Oligocene epoch. Colubrid snakes are found on ever ...

. It is found in

Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...

and in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

(

Arizona Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a state in the Southwestern United States. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is part of the Fou ...

and

New Mexico ) , population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano) , seat = Santa Fe , LargestCity = Albuquerque , LargestMetro = Tiguex , OfficialLang = None , Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ker ...

). This essentially harmless snake is semi-aquatic and most of the 10 recognized subspecies are restricted to lake basins in Mexico.

Subspecies

Ten

subspecies In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...

are known: *Mexican garter snake, ''T. e. eques'' (

Reuss Reuss may refer to: *Reuss (surname) *Reuss (river) in Switzerland *Reuss (state) or Reuß, several former states or countries in present-day Germany, and the Republic of Reuss *Reuss Elder Line and Reuss Younger Line (House of Reuss), members incl ...

, 1834) *Laguna Totolcingo garter snake, ''T. e. carmenensis'' Conant, 2003 *''T. e. cuitzeoensis'' Conant, 2003 *''T. e. diluvialis'' Conant, 2003 *''T. e. insperatus'' Conant, 2003 *northern Mexican garter snake, ''T. e. megalops'' ( Kennicott, 1860) *''T. e. obscurus'' Conant, 2003 *''T. e. patzcuaroensis'' Conant, 2003 *''T. e. scotti'' Conant, 2003 *''T. e. virgatenuis'' Conant, 1963

References

* Thamnophis Reptiles described in 1834 Taxa named by Adolph Reuss Reptiles of Mexico Reptiles of the United States {{colubrid-stub