Garter / Ribbon snake
Godman's Garter Snake
HarmlessThamnophis godmani
The Godman's Garter Snake (Thamnophis godmani) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Also called
- Garter / Ribbon snake
- Family
- Colubridae
- Size
- Slender, 1.5–3 ft.
- Habitat
- Almost anywhere with moisture — gardens, fields, wetlands, and streamsides.
- Behavior
- Harmless and active by day; may release musk if handled. The most commonly seen snakes across most of the U.S.
- Identify
- Slender body with three light stripes running the length of a darker back.
About the Godman's Garter Snake
Godman's garter snake (Thamnophis godmani) is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to southern Mexico, and was first described by Albert Günther in 1894.
Etymology
The specific name godmani is in honor of the British naturalist Frederick DuCane Godman.
Geographic range
T. godmani is found in the Mexican states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, Puebla, and Veracruz.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of T. godmani are forest and freshwater wetlands.
Behavior
A terrestrial species, T. godmani shelters under rocks and logs.
Reproduction
The mode of reproduction of T. godmani has been described as viviparous and as ovoviviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Godman's Garter Snake
- Is the Godman's Garter Snake venomous?
- No. The Godman's Garter Snake (Thamnophis godmani) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Godman's Garter Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Godman's Garter Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Godman's Garter Snake dangerous?
- The Godman's Garter Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Godman's Garter Snake live?
- The Godman's Garter Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Mexico. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- How do I identify the Godman's Garter Snake?
- Slender body with three light stripes running the length of a darker back.
- How big does the Godman's Garter Snake get?
- Slender, 1.5–3 ft.
- Why is it called the Godman's Garter Snake?
- The specific name godmani is in honor of the British naturalist Frederick DuCane Godman.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Common Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis
Western Terrestrial Garter SnakeThamnophis elegans
Western Ribbon SnakeThamnophis proximus
Northwestern Garter SnakeThamnophis ordinoides
Common Ribbon SnakeThamnophis saurita
Plains Garter SnakeThamnophis radix
Checkered Garter SnakeThamnophis marcianus
Black-necked Garter SnakeThamnophis cyrtopsis
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Thamnophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Thamnophis godmani
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.