About Thamnophis pulchrilatus (Cope, 1885)
The yellow-throated garter snake, Thamnophis pulchrilatus, is a species of colubrid snake. This species is native to Mexico, and very little confirmed information is available about it. Observed adult individuals reach total lengths of 18 to 36 inches, which is 46 to 91 centimeters. It has a characteristic appearance that distinguishes it from related species: its dorsal side is dark brown or black, marked by a yellow to light green stripe running along its spine. The sides of the snake show a checkered pattern of yellow and black, and its throat is bright yellow. This species is relatively slender and lightweight. Most individuals are found in wooded high elevation habitats, specifically oak and pine forests, though they have occasionally been found in open grassy fields. Some sources have reported this species occurring in the southwestern United States, but no confirmed sightings have ever been recorded outside of Mexico. These unconfirmed U.S. records are likely misidentifications of the related species T. cyrtopsis or T. eques. Little is known about the reproductive behavior of the yellow-throated garter snake. This species is confirmed to be ovoviviparous: young snakes hatch from their eggs inside the mother's body before being born live. One short field study captured a pregnant female that carried a clutch of 15 eggs, which extended the documented range of brood sizes for this species to between 7 and 15 young per litter.
