ExploreReptiles

Butler's Garter Snake

Thamnophis butleri

Butler's Garter Snake is a small, friendly snake that loves to slither through grass and wetlands. They have beautiful stripes and are often found near water, making them special in their habitat.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Butler's Garter Snake is a small, slender snake featuring three prominent light stripes (often yellow or orange) on a dark brown or black body. Its unique visual identifier is that the lateral stripes are located on the second and third scale rows, lower than most garter snakes.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderSerpentesFamilyColubridaeGenusThamnophis
Butler's Garter Snake
striped trait badgesolitary trait badgecamouflaged trait badgewetland trait badge
Butler's Garter Snake

Category

Reptiles

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

1

Interesting facts

Baby Butler's Garter Snakes are born ready to hunt, no need for parental care!

Look closely! Their side stripes are unusually low on their body, making them unique.

They are one of the smallest garter snakes, fitting in tight spaces easily!

They can be found in isolated pockets of wet prairies, surviving despite habitat loss.

Special abilities

Ability

Stealthy Stripes

Butler's Garter Snake has unique striped patterns that help them disappear into tall grass and marshy plants.

Ability

Live Birth

Butler's Garter Snake can give birth to live young, which helps them protect their babies from predators.

Ability

Stinky Defense

Butler's Garter Snake can release a musky, smelly liquid when threatened, which helps them deter predators.

Ability

Wetland Hunter

Butler's Garter Snake can hunt small prey in shallow water, helping them find food in wet habitats.

Measurements & details

Length
38-51 cm
Weight
0.05-0.15 kg
Lifespan
6-10 years
Top Speed
7 km/h
Swim Speed
2 km/h
Clutch Size
4-14

Diet & Feeding

This snake is a carnivore that enjoys a meal of worms, leeches, amphibians, and small fish.

Primary Foods

  • Earthworms
  • Leeches
  • Small Frogs
  • Salamanders
  • Tadpoles
  • Small Fish

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Common Earthworm

Lumbricus terrestris

Primary food source for the snake.

eats

Northern Leopard Frog

Lithobates pipiens

Preys on these common amphibians.

eaten by

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

A common avian predator.

eaten by

Striped Skunk

Mephitis mephitis

Can prey on snakes and their young.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

If you see a snake, it's best to watch from a distance and not touch it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Butler's Garter Snake?

The easiest way to identify Butler's Garter Snake is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Butler's Garter Snake?

38-51 cm

How much does Butler's Garter Snake weigh?

0.05-0.15 kg

How long does Butler's Garter Snake live?

6-10 years

How fast can Butler's Garter Snake move?

7 km/h

What does Butler's Garter Snake eat?

This snake is a carnivore that enjoys a meal of worms, leeches, amphibians, and small fish.

How fast can Butler's Garter Snake swim?

2 km/h

Where is Butler's Garter Snake usually found?

Wetlands

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