Description: A brilliantly colored, 2 to 3 foot long, 3 striped, garter snake. Dorsal stripe yellow to orange, lateral stripes white to pale yellow. A large black blotch on each side of the neck. 1 row of large black spots on side of neck and anterior body. This changes to 2 rows of alternating black spot at mid and posterior body. A single row of small black spots below each lateral stripe. Intrusion of black pigment causes the lateral line to be uneven. Belly plain white, greenish, or light brown. Scales keeled in 19 rows. Dorsal stripe yellow to orange, lateral stripes white to pale yellow. A large black blotch on each side of the neck. 1 row of large black spots on the side of neck and anterior body.

Habitat: Found near water in desertscrub, grasslands, chaparral, woodland environments. It is frequently found on dry land near a water source rather than in water.

Range: Thamnophis c. ocellatus occurs only in the Edwards Plateau area of Central Texas.

Found in these States: TX

Diet: Hunts in rivers for small fish, amphibians, other snakes, and invertebrates, such as earthworms.

Reproduction: ovoviviparous

Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of the large and probably relatively stable extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, number of subpopulations, and population size. No major threats are known.

Taxonomy: