Plains Gartersnake

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