Species Reptiles & AmphibiansPlains Garter Snake

Plains Garter Snake

Thamnophis radix

CommonReptile & Amphibian
Illustration of Plains Garter Snake (Thamnophis radix)

The Plains Garter Snake is a common snake of the central U.S. with an orange or red mid-dorsal stripe. It is found in a wide range of habitats and is one of the most cold-tolerant garter snakes, remaining active late into fall.

Habitat
Prairies, agricultural land, and wetland edges
Diet
Earthworms, frogs, and small fish
How common
Common

Best time to see a Plains Garter Snake

The best time to see a Plains Garter Snake is April–July, when about 69% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 6,851 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Recent Plains Garter Snake sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Plains Garter Snake? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Plains Garter Snake is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love reptiles & amphibians? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More reptiles & amphibians

Plains Leopard Frog
Plains Leopard Frog
Lithobates blairi
Plains Spadefoot
Plains Spadefoot
Spea bombifrons
Prairie Rattlesnake
Prairie Rattlesnake
Crotalus viridis
Prairie Skink
Prairie Skink
Plestiodon septentrionalis
Pygmy Horned Lizard
Pygmy Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma douglasii
Pygmy Rattlesnake
Pygmy Rattlesnake
Sistrurus miliarius
Queen Snake
Queen Snake
Regina septemvittata
Rainbow Snake
Rainbow Snake
Farancia erytrogramma