About Thamnophis radix (Baird & Girard, 1853)
The plains garter snake, with the scientific name Thamnophis radix, is a garter snake species native to most of the central United States, ranging north into Canada and south to Texas. This snake has a unique orange or yellow stripe running the full length of its body from head to tail, while the rest of its body is primarily gray-green. It is commonly found living near water sources including streams and ponds, but it can also occur in urban areas and vacant lots. While the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists this species as Least Concern, some individual US states have assigned the plains garter snake their own special conservation status. This species produces mild venom, which is not toxic to humans. The plains garter snake is most often found in meadows and prairies that lie adjacent to water sources such as marshes, streams, and ponds. In built-up regions around Chicago, it has been spotted living in abandoned buildings, trash heaps, and vacant lots. Populations of this snake in urban and suburban areas have seen significant declines because of construction activities and pesticide use. The habitat range of the plains garter snake overlaps with the range of the common garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, across many areas, and researchers suspect the two species may hybridize. The plains garter snake has a broad range across North America, extending from central Alberta in the north down to northern Texas and New Mexico in the south. In the United States, it can also be found in Iowa, eastern Wyoming, northern Kentucky, eastern Colorado, Minnesota, southern Wisconsin, Illinois, northwestern Indiana, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and the northern half of Missouri. There is also a small population of plains garter snakes in Ohio. In Canada, the species is additionally found in Manitoba. This snake occurs at elevations between 400 and 7,500 feet, but it prefers habitats at elevations below 6,000 feet.
