Scientific Name: Thamnophis radix
Family: Natricidae
Description & Size
- Legless
- No eyelids
- Lacks external ears
- Scales on the back have a ridge in the middle (keeled)
- Single anal scale
- Lightly colored stripe on each side of the snake that runs head to tail on the 3rd and 4th scale rows above the belly scales (ventral scales)
- Scales on the lip have black lines extending from mouth to chin
- Total length: 38.0-109.5 cm (15.0-43.1 in)
- Yellow to orange stripe extending from the head to the tail down the middle of the back
- Alternating row of black spots above and below the stripe on the side of the body
Life History
- Diurnal, rarely nocturnal
- Active season: March – October
- Breeding season: March – early June
- Gives live birth
- 3-35 young per female
Habitat
- Wet prairies with wetlands associated with them
- Woodland/grassland riparian edges
Diet
- Amphibians
- Fish
- Worms
- Slugs
Range Map
Most common range within the last 50 years and does not include outliers. For more info email dferraro1@unl.edu