About Thamnophis hammondii (Kennicott, 1860)
Thamnophis hammondii, also known as the two-striped garter snake, is a medium-sized snake, reaching a total length of 18–30 inches (46–76 cm) including the tail. Its head is barely wider than its neck. Two common color variations are seen in wild populations: the striped variant and the checkered variant. The striped variant has a yellowish lateral stripe on each side, with fairly uniform coloring along its back. The checkered variant lacks these lateral stripes, and instead has two rows of small dark spots on each side of its body. This species is found in western North America, with a range that extends from central California in the United States to Baja California, Mexico. It is a highly aquatic species that prefers habitats adjacent to permanent or semi-permanent bodies of water. Thamnophis hammondii feeds primarily on fishes and amphibians, and it reproduces via ovoviviparity.
