Checkered Garter Snake
Thamnophis marcianus

f13 2 1/1000s, ISO:640, Nikon D3S w 60mm

"Checkered Garter Snake," Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. T. marcianus were long thought to be nonvenomous, but recent discoveries have revealed that they do in fact produce a mild neurotoxic venom. T. marcianus cannot kill humans with the small amounts of venom they produce, which is comparatively mild, and they also lack an effective means of delivering it. They do have enlarged teeth in the back of their mouth, but their gums are significantly larger. The Duvernoy's gland of garters are posterior (to the rear) of the snake's eyes. The mild venom is spread into wounds through a chewing action.

Jones Alta Vista Ranch, Jim Hogg County, Texas

04/01/2017