# Plains Garter Snake (*Thamnophis radix*) The Plains Garter Snake is a friendly snake that loves to slither through grass and wetlands. They have beautiful stripes and are great at catching small bugs and frogs. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 18 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Plains Garter Snake](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Plains_gartersnake.jpg&width=800) Photo: Thamnophis, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plains_gartersnake.jpg) ## Appearance The Plains Garter Snake has a brown, olive, or black body with three prominent yellow or orange stripes running lengthwise. A checkerboard pattern of dark spots often appears between the stripes. This combination makes it distinct from other garter snakes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Colubridae - **Genus:** Thamnophis ## Interesting facts - Plains Garter Snakes are not venomous to humans, making them safe to observe! - Their forked tongue 'tastes' the air, helping them find yummy food! - They give birth to live babies, not eggs, like a tiny snake factory! - They sometimes form huge groups called 'hibernacula' to sleep through winter together! ## Special abilities - **Stinky Shield:** Plains Garter Snakes can release a foul-smelling musk because it helps them deter predators when feeling threatened. - **Venom Vanquisher:** Plains Garter Snakes have a natural resistance to the mild venom of some prey, allowing them to hunt more easily. - **Jaw Unhinger:** Plains Garter Snakes can unhinge their jaws, allowing them to swallow prey much larger than their head! - **Winter Nap:** Plains Garter Snakes can brumate by slowing their body functions, helping them survive cold winter months. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 38-71 cm - **Weight:** 0.05-0.2 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 5 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 1.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 5-60 ## Diet & Feeding This snake is a hunter that eats small creatures like frogs, earthworms, and mice. - **Primary Foods:** earthworms, frogs, toads, slugs, small fish, mice - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Leopard Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard-frog) (*Rana pipiens*) — A common prey item in their wetland habitats. - **Eats:** [Earthworm](https://www.snappit.app/explore/earthworm) (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — A primary food source, especially for younger snakes. - **Eats:** Meadow Vole (*Microtus pennsylvanicus*) — Often preyed upon in grassy habitats. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — A common aerial predator of garter snakes. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## 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 Plains Garter Snake? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Plains Garter Snake? 38-71 cm ### How much does Plains Garter Snake weigh? 0.05-0.2 kg ### How long does Plains Garter Snake live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Plains Garter Snake move? 5 km/h ### What does Plains Garter Snake eat? This snake is a hunter that eats small creatures like frogs, earthworms, and mice. ### How fast can Plains Garter Snake swim? 1.5 km/h ### Where is Plains Garter Snake usually found? Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Anderson Japanese Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/anderson-japanese-gardens) — Illinois, US · Botanical Garden - [Brandon Road Lock and Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brandon-road-lock-and-dam) — Illinois, US · Historic Site - [City Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/city-park) — Colorado, US · Park - [Falls Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/falls-park) — South Dakota, US · Park - [Gensburg-Markham Prairie](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gensburg-markham-prairie) — Illinois, US · Nature Reserve - [Lilacia Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lilacia-park) — Illinois, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Plains Garter Snake](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/plains-garter-snake) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Plains Garter Snake: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/plains-garter-snake)