Chiapas Highland Garter Snake
Thamnophis chrysocephalus
A small, striped garter snake endemic to the cool highland streams and cloud forests of Chiapas, Mexico, and neighboring Guatemala.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.4-0.7 m (16-28 in)
- Range
- Highlands of Chiapas, Mexico and adjacent Guatemala
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Overview
The Chiapas Highland Garter Snake is a montane species of garter snake restricted to the cool, high-elevation forests of southern Mexico and Guatemala. Like other garter snakes it is a slender, active predator of small aquatic and terrestrial prey.
Its limited range in cloud forest habitat makes it sensitive to deforestation and habitat degradation in the region.
How to identify it
- Slender body with a distinctive yellowish or golden head, giving rise to its scientific name (chrysocephalus meaning 'golden head')
- Dark dorsal ground color with a pale vertebral stripe typical of garter snakes
- Faint lateral stripes running along the sides of the body
- Round pupils and a narrow head not much wider than the neck
- Small overall size compared to lowland garter snake relatives
Habitat & range
Restricted to highland cloud forest and pine-oak forest streams in the Chiapas highlands of Mexico and adjoining Guatemalan highlands, typically at elevations above 1,500 m.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Active by day, foraging along stream edges and in leaf litter for amphibians, earthworms, and small invertebrates. Like most garter snakes, it gives birth to live young. Relatively secretive and rarely encountered due to its restricted, cool-climate habitat.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Chiapas Highland Garter Snake venomous?
No, it is non-venomous and harmless to humans.
Where does it live?
Cool, high-elevation cloud forests and pine-oak forests in Chiapas, Mexico, and adjacent Guatemala.
What is distinctive about its appearance?
A golden-yellow colored head against a darker body with faint striping typical of garter snakes.
What does it eat?
Small amphibians, earthworms, and invertebrates found near streams.
Chiapas Highland Garter Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Chiapas Highland Garter Snake.
