Sierra garter snake


Thamnophis couchii, commonly known as Couch's garter snake, the Sierra garter snake, or the western aquatic garter snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the western United States.

Etymology

The specific name couchii is in honor of Darius Nash Couch, who was a U.S. Army officer and a naturalist.

Geographic range

T. couchii is native to California and Oregon in the United States.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of T. couchii are freshwater wetlands and permanent or temporary bodies of water in grassland, shrubland, and forest.

Behavior

T. couchii is highly aquatic.

Reproduction

T. couchii is viviparous.