Colorado Herpetological Society's

Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Colorado

Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
(Thamnophis elegans)

Family Colubridae

Photo from Hammerson, 1986.
Used with permission.

Last Updated on January 20, 2000.

Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans)
Description: Adults 24" to 42" in length. Color brown to gray; gray and light tan checkerboard pattern conspicuous in juveniles, darkens and becomes obscure with age. Light stripe down sides of body, becomes less prominent with age. Prominent light stripe down back on individuals from southeastern Colorado; stripe faint or absent elsewhere. Moderately slender body; keeled scales. Single anal plate. Elevation Range: Usually below 11,000', but has been found at 13,100' in San Miguel County, southwest Colorado. Subspecies in Colorado: Thamnophis elegans vagrans