Garter Snake

Garter snakes are semi-aquatic and are found near or swimming through bodies of water throughout Central and Southern Arizona, according to the  Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Species commonly seen in Arizona are the Western terrestrial garter snake (Thamnophis elegans), pictured here; the black-necked garter snake (Thamnophis cyrtopsis); and the checkered garter snake (Thamnophis marcianus). They typically feed on aquatic and semi-aquatic prey, such as fish, amphibians, worms and crustaceans. Occasionally, a garter snake will snack on a lizard, small mammal or bird. These snakes are threatened by habitat loss, increased competition for prey and predation from invasive species, such as bullfrogs and sunfish.