Identification Garter Snake Texas

They are not venomous and provide pest control in gardens by eating slugs and insects.

Identification garter snake texas. For example it is illegal to kill a timber rattlesnake in texas. Wecome to texas snake identification. Venomous snakes found in texas. Texas is home to the highest number of species of snakes in all of the united states with a grand total of 115 species according to the texas parks and wildlife department tpwd.

Pictures and identification help. They are uncommon even in their central texas range and seldom found in large numbers. Checkered garter snakes can truly be called a texas species. A guide to snakes of southeast texas this guide was created for the members of southeast texas snake id which is an educational group on facebook dedicated to providing quick identifications and a better understanding of snakes and the importance of their role in our ecosystem.

Texas garter snakes are a terrestrial species. However this species dominates all of texas except for the east where it gives way to the common garter. They can be found in a wide range of habitats but are usually close to a water source. Maureen frank assistant professor and extension wildlife specialist.

Of these the vast majority including the texas brown snake milk snake and gopher snake are non venomous. Their body color can range from blue prominent in florida blue garter snakes to the many shades of red visible in west coast species. Dixon and john e. There are smaller populations in california arizona and new mexico.

There is no single characteristic shared by all venomous snakes in texas. In texas there are many snakes that are protected by state law and indiscriminate killing is illegal. If a venomous snakes is bothering you before using any cruel snake control measures or trying to catch and relocate it on your own contact representatives of the texas parks and wildlife department. Physical descriptions from texas snakes.

If you venture out during snake season you may come across one even in your backyard. Common snakes identification guide for the houston area guide to distinguishing venomous from nonvenomous species common to the houston area. Instead you should. Garter snake identification can also be a fun activity because they are not aggressive snakes and taking the time to look at one means little personal harm to the observer.

Garter snakes thamnophis spp are common throughout texas. Texas snake identification has 12 567 members. A field guide james r.