California names giant garter snake as its official state snake

California will have an official state snake in 2026. A new law that takes effect in January makes the giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas) the official state snake. The species is native to California and can only be found in the Central Valley. The population of the giant garter snake has declined by more than 90% over the last century. It was listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act in 1971 and the Federal Endangered Species Act in 1993.Michael Starkey, founder of Save the Snakes, worked to draw attention to the snake. “The state symbols are in California school curriculum and so we estimate between and 400,000 students will learn about this state snake every single year. For us a snake that is imperiled, lacks awareness in general, so many more people will learn about it and hopefully appreciate it for years to come,” Starkey said.The bill to recognize the giant garter snake as a state symbol passed largely due to the efforts of the California Rice Commission, Starkey. The garter snake relies on rice and thrives in aquatic habitats, such as wetlands, marshes, or rice fields. The commission helped bring the bill to a senator because rice farmers benefit from the snake’s presence.See more new laws for 2026 here.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

California will have an official state snake in 2026.

A new law that takes effect in January makes the giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas) the official state snake. The species is native to California and can only be found in the Central Valley.

The population of the giant garter snake has declined by more than 90% over the last century. It was listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act in 1971 and the Federal Endangered Species Act in 1993.

Michael Starkey, founder of Save the Snakes, worked to draw attention to the snake.

“The state symbols are in California school curriculum and so we estimate between [300,000] and 400,000 students will learn about this state snake every single year. For us a snake that is imperiled, lacks awareness in general, so many more people will learn about it and hopefully appreciate it for years to come,” Starkey said.

The bill to recognize the giant garter snake as a state symbol passed largely due to the efforts of the California Rice Commission, Starkey.

The garter snake relies on rice and thrives in aquatic habitats, such as wetlands, marshes, or rice fields.

The commission helped bring the bill to a senator because rice farmers benefit from the snake’s presence.

See more new laws for 2026 here.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel