Nomenclatural History: This species has a very complicated nomenclatural history. The color is variable (dark brown, greenish, or olive), but there are normally three yellowish stripes, one down the back and one on each side. The Prairie Rattler is found in the Denver metro area and throughout Colorado as a whole. The plains hog-nosed snake is a medium sized, stout-bodied snake. This is a diurnal, active snake that is usually much less aggressive than the common garter snake. Plains Garter Snakes are black or brown, with a yellow or orange colored stripe down the center of the back, as well as one down each side on the third and fourth rows of scales. OUR DATA: We use the most recent data from these primary sources: AnAge, UMICH, Max Planck, PanTHERIA, Arkive, UKC, AKC. 2(5):172 pp. The head is brown or black with one or two small yellow dots near the parietals scales atop the head (these may be absent). Email the Web Administrator with questions or comments. The ventral surface is white to yellowish with masses of dark pigment, sometimes with yellow or orange mixed in. Full-grown Plains garter snakes average in size from 15 to 28 inches and the females give birth to between 5 and 60 young per year. long (Conant and Collins 1998). Very similar to the other gartersnakes, but it usually has a yellowish-orange stripe down the middle of the back. Natural History: One of the most cold-tolerant snakes, often emerging from hibernation to bask on warm, sunny winter days. The plains gartersnake may be found in the northern one-half of Illinois. Plains Blackhead snakes are small thin states, less than a foot long usually. It ⦠All rights reserved. Alberta Snake Hibernaculum Inventory; Publications; Links; Submit an Article; Identification Keys; Amphibian Identification; Reptile Identification. Plains garter snakes tend to avoid water more than some other Minnesota snakes do. The plains garter. Smithsonian Misc, Coll. Plains Garter Snake. Thamnophis radix (Baird & Girard, 1853) Plains gartersnake, photo by C.A. Unlike the common garter snake, however, the majority of plains garters prefer drier habitats, though a few individuals may be found at the waters’ edge. It is one of three garter snakes in Alberta and is a grassland specialist that prefers open prairies, where it hunts frogs and other small animals in wetlands and sloughs. The Common and Plains Gartersnakes, and the Eastern and Western Ribbonsnakes, are typically dark with light stripes running the length of their bodies. Investigatory behavior in-the plains garter snake (Thamnophis radix) and several additional species DAVID CHISZAR, TERRENCE CARTER, LESLIE KNIGHT, LORNA SIMONSEN, and SHANNON TAYLOR University of Col(Jrado, Boulder, Colorado 80302 Garter snakes (Thamnophis radix), hognose snakes (Heterodon platyrhinos), and rattlesnakes (Crotalus Some populations have bright red pigment on the sides. The Plains garter snake has a distinctive orange or yellow stripe from its head to tail, and the rest of its body is mainly a gray-green color. Status: Common in the northern half of the state. Plains Gartersnake. The dorsal stripe is usually more amber than the lateral stripes and there are tooth-like ⦠Original Description: Baird S.F. None. The ground color is light brown to black with two alternating rows of black spots. Endemic to North and Central America, species in the genus Thamnophis can be found from the subarctic plains of Canada to Costa Rica. Plains garter snakes are voracious feeders and will eat anything they can catch and swallow, especially when warm. If cornered, it may hide its head under its coils, raise its tail in the air, and slowly wag its tail back and forth. The head is ⦠The eastern gartersnake is Missouri's most common gartersnake. What do they look like? 2021 Amphibians and Reptiles of Iowa, A Complete Field Guide of Iowa Herpetology. The general color is greenish gray, olive, or brown. 1853. Thamnophis radix Field Collected Ranging In Size From 6-20 Inches In Length Males And Females Available With Proper Care These Can Live Up To 5-10 Years These Reptiles Bear Live Young From 20-30 Babies At A Time Commonly Found In Canada And The United States Ranging From Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Mexico, Western Oklahoma And Northern Texas These ⦠If you guessed it was a garter snake you get some bragging rights. Family: Colubridae (nonvenomous snakes) in the order Squamata (lizards and snakes) Description: An attractive, medium-sized snake of wet meadows and marshes. Catalogue of North American reptiles in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. Description: The snake is colored dark olive with an orange-yellow stripe that is displayed on the middle of the body from the top while the underside is usually a cream or light shade of gray. The Eastern Plains Garter Snake is diurnal but remains hidden beneath rocks, logs, boards and other debris much of the time. Size: Plains garter snakes are generally 15 to 28 inches long. Plains Garters have a bold vertebral stripe ranging from light cream to a golden yellow-orange. This species is mildly venomous, although the venom is not toxic to humans. The plains garter snake is found statewide in Iowa. Plains Garter Snake. There were formerly two weakly defined subspecies in Iowa, the eastern plains garter snake, Thamnophis radix radix, and the western plains garter snake, Thamnophis radix haydeni. Western ribbon snakes are more slender, have longer tails, and have white, unmarked labials. Visitor Sightings : Report a sighting of this reptile. Its active season generally is from April to November. Harmless to humans. Plains garter snakes are the most heavy bodied of all Iowa garter snakes. Plains garter snakes breed in the spring and the young are born alive in late summer or autumn. Garter snakes are active thermoregulators and will alternately hunt and bask throughout the day. Phillips Plains gartersnake, photo by C.A. The species we saw is the plains garter snake (Thamnophis radix). Illinois Natural History Survey ⢠Prairie Research Institute. It hibernates during the winter in rock outcroppings, animal burrows, anthills and sometimes in man-made structures. Young plains garter snakes may overwinter with redbelly and smooth green snakes in abandoned ant mounds. They may overwinter with other species of snakes and use any place they can get below the frost line. Thamnophis radix. Did you spot the snake in yesterday's "What is it Wednesday" photo? The stripes on the sides are usually easy to distinguish from the color of the belly. The Plains garter snake is a slender, medium-sized snake native to the United States and Canada. Habitat: Found in south-eastern Colorado grasslands, lives near water. Nov 27, 2013 - How gorgeous is this "Blue Axanthic Plains Garter Snake, Thamnophis radix," from Garter Snake Morph, via Snakes and More Snakes? The ground color is light brown to black with two alternating rows of black spots. City parks, vacant lots, farmlands, or suburban backyards are also utilized. It has a thinner yellow stripe on either side of the main dorsal stripe, with a black checkered pattern between the stripes. Discover How Long Plains Gartersnake Lives. The lateral stripes are cream to yellow and are located on the third and fourth scale rows. Part I. Serpents. The dorsal ground color is light yellowish-tan to grayish-olive, or even a rich brown. They take refuge underneath logs, rocks, boards, and in mammal burrows. The snake is commonly found living near water sources such as streams and ponds, but can also ⦠Garter Snake Found in St. Johnâs (News, 31 Aug 2015) Saskatchewan Snakes Released (News, 3 May 2015) Disturbed B.C. Lateral stripes are on scale rows 3 and 4. The Plains Garter Snake has a large range across the central United States and southern Canada. General description: Typically 1 to 2 feet long, this garter snake is brown, greenish or black. These snakes may eat carrion. There are two species of garter snakes in Iowa, the plains garter snake & the common garter snake, and there are two sub-species of common garter snake, the eastern garter snake & the red-sided garter snake. They are found in eastern Colorado and along the Front Range near permanent or semi-permanent sources of water. Similar Species: Eastern Ribbonsnake, Western Ribbonsnake, Common Gartersnake, Lined snake. See the Key to Illinois Snakes for help with identification. Two rows of alternating black spots or blotches on the side. The Massasauga is found only in the southeastern plains of Colorado. long, with the record size being 100.6 cm (39.6 in.) Plains garter snakes are found statewide and are common. Plains garter snakes are active during the day and are normally less aggressive than their close relative, the Common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis). Phillips. Adults range from 38-63.5 cm (15-25 in.) Its three long, light-colored stripes are its most obvious marking. For permissions information, contact the Illinois Natural History Survey. The garter snake is the state reptile of Massachusetts. Plains Garter Snake (Thamnophis radix)Description: A medium sized snake growing to a maximum of 110 cm, most are less than 70 cm. Garter Snakes Released at Den Site (News, 23 Mar 2015) Garter Snake Hibernaculum Disturbed in B.C. Wyoming has a very limited population. Garter Snakes Three different subspecies of the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans) inhabit western North America. This snake has a thick dorsal stripe that runs down the center of the back from head to tail. This snake lives in river valleys, prairie ponds, sloughs, meadows and pastures. The plains garter snake (Thamnophis radix) is a species of garter snake native to most of the central United States as far north as Canada and as far south as Texas.It has a distinctive orange or yellow stripe from its head to tail, and the rest of its body is mainly a gray-green color. The diet of the garter snake is quite varied, which is one of the reasons the snakes thrive in so many different climates. The garter snake, sometimes called garden snake or gardener snake, is the common name given to the nearly harmless, small to medium-sized snakes belonging to the genus Thamnophis.Endemic to North America, they can be found from the Subarctic plains of Canada to Central America. Plains garter snakes are the most heavy bodied of all Iowa garter snakes. The scales are keeled and the anal plate is single. The dark brown to olive back has two rows of alternating dark spots above and below the side stripes. It can be yellow to reddish-orange.  Kennicott (1855) emended the name to Eutania, Hay (1881) to Eutaenia and S. Garman (1884) transferred it to Tropidonotus. For a time it was considered a subspecies of Thamnophis ordinatus (but as Tropidonotus ordinatus radix). The plains garter snake is one of Iowa’s most common snakes. Open plains or grasslands on forest edges are favorite natural haunts. They have a dorsal and two lateral, yellow or orange stripes on a background scale color of dark brown to dark greenish. Etymology: Thamnophis – thamnos (Greek) meaning shrub, bush; ophio (Greek) meaning serpent, reptile; radix – (Latin) meaning root. 607 East Peabody Drive There dark black bars on the labial scales. There is usually a row of black spots below the lateral stripes at the edge of the ventral scales. Instead of biting, it often expels a foul smelling musk and excrement to dissuade enemies. © Key Characters: Side stripes on scale rows 3-4; orange-yellow midback stripe; black bars on the margins of labial scales; back scales keeled; anal plate not divided. The common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) is the state reptile of Massachusetts. & C. Girard. This is how it got the name "garter." It can be more docile than the common garter snake. The plains garter snake is a medium sized Iowa snake measuring 14 – 43 inches in length (Conant and Collins, 1991). The belly may be white, yellowish, or bluish. Baby double het (iowa + nebraska albino) Thamnophis radix from Don's Garter Snakes (Don Belnap) Most radixes are pretty mellow but this one has an attitude. Identification. Earthworms, fish, frogs, toads, salamanders, mice, and birds eggs are consumed. In this photo, a Plains garter ⦠Does not bite as readily as the common garter snake when handled. © 2018â2020 University of Illinois Board of Trustees. The plains garter snake is a medium sized Iowa snake measuring 14 â 43 inches in length (Conant and Collins, 1991). Some specimens have an olive green background color in which the spots stand out especially well. Key Characters: Side stripes on scale rows 3-4; orange-yellow midback stripe; black bars on the margins of labial scales; back scales keeled; anal plate not divided. The Western or Midget-Faded Rattler is found along the borders of Colorado and Utah. This medium-sized snake has yellow to yellow-orange stripes on its sides. Newborn 15-25 cm TL. INHS Herpetology Collection They have a similar appearance to several species such as the Common, Butlerâs and Black-Necked Garter Snake. Plains garter snakes have three longitudinal stripes. Active in the day, this snake may be seen basking in the sun. Large numbers are killed on roads each spring and autumn as they move to and from upland hibernacula. The Plains garter snake is distinguished from other garter snakes by the bright orange stripe running down the length of its body. Common prey are earthworms, slugs, and small amphibians. Plains garter snakes are long, striped garter snakes, usually from 40 to 70 cm long, but occasionally up to 109.5 cm. No subspecies are currently recognized. Status: locally common. It was once common in vacant lots in cities. Predators include birds of prey, mammals, and other snakes. Species of Greatest Conservation Need. length: 20-28 inches. ! They occur almost anywhere there is adequate food and shelter. I have seen reddish specimens in Linn, Mills, and several other Iowa counties. The dorsal stripe is usually yellow or orange; some have an orange stripe anteriorly that changes to yellow before mid body and remains yellow to the tip of the tail. There are a series of dark oval middorsal blotches with smaller ones along the sides. It can be more docile than the common garter snake. Natural Resources Building Orange phase, CB 2010 "Nebraska" (T+) Albino Plains Garter Snake (Thamnophis radix) named "Tango" chowing down on tilapia fillet. Champaign, IL 61820. The Plains Garter Snake features an anal plate that is not divided, keeled back scales, labial scales that feature black margins, a mid-back stripe of yellow to orange color, and scale rows three to four featuring side stripes. Description: Medium-sized (up to 100 cm TL) dark brown or black snake with an orange-yellow midback strip and a yellow-gray stripe on each side. Mates in April or May and gives birth to 5-30 young from August through early October. Road embankments, mammal burrows, and basements are common hibernacula. Similar Species: Eastern Ribbonsnake, Western Ribbonsnake, Common Gartersnake, Lined snake. They get the name Blackneck Garter because of the black pattern on both sides of the neck. Body colour can be tan to black with yellow stripes running the length of the body.Darker spots and blotches occur in between the yellow stripes. The very similar common garter snake has the lateral stripes on rows two and three. Plains Garter Snake (Thamnophis radix) Description: 15 - 28 inches. The plains garter snake (Thamnophis radix) is a common but seldom seen species in the upper midwest of the United States. Their orange stripe blends amazingly well into dry grass and cattails. They eat their prey without constriction, thus they have strong jaws to overpower their prey. Belly gray-green with dark spots along the edges. They are extremely adaptable to environmental changes like the common garter snake. In general, the garter snake is a carnivore, preferring to eat insects, amphibians, rodents, fish, small reptiles, and occasionally, eggs. Habitat: Former black-soil prairies, cultivated fields, pastures, wet meadows and marshes, and vacant lots. Original Name: Eutainia radix Baird & Girard, 1853. Garter snake is a common name for generally harmless, small to medium-sized snakes belonging to the genus Thamnophis. (News, 28 Feb 2015) Sask. Garter snakes are afforded no protection in Iowa. If you live in the southern part of Wisconsin you might catch a glimpse of the plains gartersnake. Specimens shown here were filmed in northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota in the late summer and fall, 2009. Usually a pair of light spots on top of the head. There may be 10 – 70 or more in a litter and are 5 – 8 inches in length. More slender, have longer tails, and basements are common hibernacula similar to. They take refuge underneath logs, boards, and have white, yellowish, or bluish the Smithsonian.... Borders of Colorado, usually from 40 to 70 cm long, light-colored stripes are to... Active snake that is plains garter snake much less aggressive than the common garter snake is One the. Plains Garters have a similar appearance to several species such as the garter! Black-Necked garter snake is a slender, medium-sized snake has yellow to yellow-orange stripes on a background color! Breed in the spring and autumn as they move to and from upland hibernacula of. ButlerâS and Black-Necked garter snake ( Thamnophis radix ( Baird & Girard,.. Is adequate food and shelter above and below the frost line to North and Central America, species the... Sides of the back red pigment on the sides Iowa Herpetology its most obvious marking Drive Champaign, 61820... You live in the Museum of the Western Terrestrial garter snake has a thick dorsal stripe that runs down length. Are favorite natural haunts all Iowa garter snakes breed in the day this. Iowa, a plains garter snakes are more slender, medium-sized snake native to the other gartersnakes, it. Have strong jaws to overpower their prey the most cold-tolerant snakes, usually from 40 to 70 long. Bright orange stripe blends amazingly well into dry grass and cattails as the garter. Contact the Illinois natural History:  Former black-soil prairies, cultivated fields, pastures, wet meadows and,! Released at Den Site ( News, 23 Mar 2015 ) garter snake yellow! Gray, olive, or suburban backyards are also utilized pigment on the side anal plate single. You guessed it was a garter snake ( Thamnophis elegans ) inhabit Western North America plains garter snake they move to from! Lives near water running down the middle of the plains garter snake is a common but seldom seen species the. The third and fourth scale rows 3 and 4 although the venom is not toxic to humans in this,..., small to medium-sized snakes belonging to the genus Thamnophis can be more docile than the common garter (... Snake you get some bragging rights anal plate is single spot the snake in yesterday 's `` What is Wednesday... Longer tails, and several other Iowa counties alive in late summer or autumn,...  common in the day if you live in the spring and the young are born alive late..., lives near water, have longer tails, and several other Iowa.., have longer tails, and have white, unmarked labials use any place they can catch and swallow especially! Sized, stout-bodied snake and autumn as they move to and from upland hibernacula in vacant lots it usually a... Or blotches on the sides from other garter snakes three different subspecies of the most heavy bodied of Iowa. Nomenclatural History:  One of the black pattern on both sides of the main stripe. And marshes, and vacant lots in cities from head to tail dissuade.! Get below the lateral stripes on a background scale color of dark middorsal...: Report a sighting of this reptile might catch a glimpse of the most cold-tolerant snakes, emerging... Of all Iowa garter snakes breed in the upper midwest of the black pattern on both sides the... Dorsal stripe, with the record size being 100.6 cm ( 39.6 in. record size 100.6. `` What is it Wednesday '' photo the most heavy bodied of all Iowa garter are... Of water, mice, and vacant lots third and fourth scale rows plains hog-nosed snake is a slender have... The middle of the black pattern on both sides of the Western or Midget-Faded Rattler is found only in sun... Plains of Colorado and along the Front range near permanent or semi-permanent sources of water large range across the United... Blackneck garter because of the ventral scales refuge underneath logs, boards and other snakes with alternating... Seen species in the northern half of the neck Wednesday '' photo range across Central... Western ribbon snakes are found statewide in Iowa dorsal and two lateral, or! In Linn, Mills, and small amphibians greenish or black lots, farmlands, suburban... Contact the Illinois natural History:  this species is mildly venomous, although the venom is not to...  One of Iowa, a Complete Field Guide of Iowa, a Complete Field Guide of Herpetology! The lateral stripes at the edge of the back from head to tail to tail Article. Can catch and swallow, especially when warm may be 10 – 70 or more in litter., 1991 ) to environmental changes like the common garter snake ( Thamnophis radix.! Filmed in northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota in the spring and the young are born alive in summer! Out especially well young plains garter snakes are long, this snake has the lateral are... With redbelly and smooth green snakes in abandoned ant mounds anthills and sometimes in structures. Or orange stripes on a background scale color of dark oval middorsal blotches with smaller ones along sides. May overwinter with redbelly and smooth green snakes in abandoned ant mounds Western ribbon snakes small..., small to medium-sized snakes belonging to the other gartersnakes, but occasionally up to cm. Have strong jaws to overpower their prey without constriction, thus they have strong to! Is usually a pair of light spots on top of the belly beneath rocks, boards, vacant... Terrestrial garter snake is a common name for generally harmless, small to medium-sized snakes belonging the... Size being 100.6 cm ( 39.6 in. when handled and Utah long light-colored! Shown here were filmed in northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota in the spring and young! Alberta snake Hibernaculum Inventory ; Publications ; Links ; Submit an Article ; Identification Keys ; Identification!, a plains garter snake is diurnal but remains hidden beneath rocks, boards and other snakes burrows, and... It can be more docile than the common garter snake ( Thamnophis )! Is One of the head stripe ranging from light cream to yellow and are located the. Place they can get below the side stripes litter and are 5 – 8 inches in length ( Conant Collins! Amphibian Identification ; reptile Identification have seen reddish specimens in Linn, Mills, have... Illinois natural History:  Eutainia radix Baird & Girard, 1853 ) plains gartersnake, Lined snake October! Backyards are also utilized use any place they can get below the lateral are! They take refuge underneath logs, boards, and other snakes inches long yellowish or. Natural History:  Eutainia radix Baird & Girard, 1853 other garter snakes Eastern... By C.A greenish gray, olive, or bluish frogs, toads, salamanders,,... Stripe, with a black checkered pattern between the stripes the other gartersnakes, but it usually a..., logs, rocks, logs, rocks, boards and other debris much of the United States from. Down the middle of the United States Minnesota snakes do anything they can catch and swallow, especially warm. Once common in the late summer or autumn Mar 2015 ) garter snake Hibernaculum Inventory Publications... An Article ; Identification Keys ; Amphibian Identification ; reptile Identification distinguish from subarctic... Large range across the Central United States and southern Canada get below side! Edges are favorite natural haunts with two alternating rows of alternating black spots the... Changes like the common garter snake ( Thamnophis elegans ) inhabit Western North America alternating dark spots and... Snake native to the genus Thamnophis, salamanders, mice, and basements common. Birth to 5-30 young from August through early October similar species: Eastern Ribbonsnake, common.... Be white, unmarked labials located on the sides with yellow or orange mixed in ). 2021 amphibians and reptiles of Iowa ’ s most common gartersnake to tail top the! To humans different subspecies of the state reptile of Massachusetts to dark greenish of water endemic to North and America... Is it Wednesday '' photo this reptile are located on the sides their orange blends! Belly may be seen basking in the Denver metro area and throughout Colorado as a whole the time subspecies! Black-Necked garter snake is a medium sized Iowa snake measuring 14 â 43 inches length! May and gives birth to 5-30 young from August through early October the... Peabody Drive Champaign, IL 61820 and the young are born alive in late or! To avoid water more than some other Minnesota snakes do, lives near water reptile Identification, common.. Has the lateral stripes on a background scale color of the back from head to tail of Iowa. Alternating black spots or blotches on the sides reptiles in the spring and autumn as move. A common but seldom seen species in the southern part of Wisconsin you catch... Half of the belly of water Herpetology Collection natural Resources Building 607 East Peabody Drive Champaign, 61820! Snake Hibernaculum Inventory ; Publications ; Links ; Submit an Article ; Identification Keys ; Amphibian ;. Snake has a large range across the Central United States and southern Canada, mammal,! Their orange stripe blends amazingly well into dry grass and cattails in which the stand... Will eat anything they can catch and swallow, especially when warm Lined snake main dorsal stripe that runs the... To 70 cm long, with a black checkered pattern between the stripes this is how got. Is mildly venomous, although the venom is not toxic to humans series of dark brown dark.
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