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Water snake identification

22 13:31:25

Question
I was surprised yesterday to encounter a water snake in the Rio Hondo (Taos
County, NM, @ 7,000'); I've walked the stream for many years & never seen one.
Can you help me ID this snake? It was @ 2' long, very thin, small head, not
distinctively marked (grey/brown, patterned), slow-moving (the water is very
cold, of course). Thanks, Kevin

Answer
Kevin,

It sounds like you saw one a common species of gartersnake called the Wandering Gartersnake (Thamnophis elegans). They are often mistaken for true watersnakes (Nerodia) and can live semi-aquatic lives, and can be found even in the highest reaches of the state. In May I did a 3 week survey of snakes in New Mexico (Eddy County) and found many of them along the waterways. Their mottled and highly variable appearance makes them unrecognizable as a type of gartersnake to many people. If you do a google search for "Thamnophis elegans", I think you'll see your guy in the lineup.

Hope that helps.

Bryan Hughes
fieldherper.com
phoenixsnakeremoval.com