Plains Gartersnake
Family:
Colubridae (nonvenomous snakes) in the order Squamata (lizards and snakes)
Description:
This snake is very similar to the other gartersnakes, but it usually has a yellowish-orange stripe down the middle of the back, an alternating double row of black spots along the sides and black bars along the edge of the upper, green lip.
Size:
Length: 15 to 28 inches (38-71 cm).
Habitat and conservation:
This gartersnake is associated with wet meadows and prairies, marshes, lakes and ponds.
Foods:
Like other species of gartersnakes, this snakes feeds mainly on earthworms, amphibians and minnows.
Distribution in Missouri:
Occurs mainly in the northwestern corner and in north-central Missouri, with an isolated population in the eastern part of the state near St. Louis.
Life cycle:
This attractive species spends warm summer days basking in the sun or searching for food. Winters are spent underground, probably in abandoned rodent tunnels. MDC's Mission, Vision, Priorities
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Shortened URL
http://mdc.mo.gov/node/6612
