6 Best Types of Garter Snakes in Kansas (With Photos)

The three dominant snake species currently found in North America include garter snakes, which are least likely to harm human beings.

It is not typically found in areas where people live and are not poisonous, but opinions vary a lot on this.

The six varieties of  garter snakes in Kansas will be covered in this article.

• • Common Garter Snakes
  • Plains Garter Snakes
  • Checkered Garter Snakes
  • Western Ribbon Snakes
  • Texas Garter Snakes
  • Red-sided Garter Snakes

1. Common Garter Snakes

Scientific name: Thamnophis sirtalis

These Garter snakes have black scales and these yellow stripes along their length make the species unique, and they are commonly located in North America.

In the western part of the Kansas state, they are rather rare. It is diurnal and habits in the forests and wetland areas.

The common garter snakes eat earthworms and little frogs. In an official sense, it seems that garter snakes are strictly harmless. As it will be seen, it was only recently discovered that their saliva is lethal.

However, these garter snakes in Kansas are harmless to humans and lack teeth to administer their venom.

2. Plains Garter Snakes

Scientific name: Thamnophis radix

Common garter snakes are similar to this species. But the rear stripe doesn’t have to be yellow; it might be orange or even red.

There have been relatively few documented sightings of these garter snakes in southeast Kansas, but the majority have been in central Kansas.

They can withstand chilly temperatures much better than most other snakes. In the winter, if the day is especially warm, these garter snakes will emerge.

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3. Checkered Garter Snakes

Scientific name: Thamnophis marcianus

Lateral bars consist of checkered garters which are colored black and have black spots on the entire body apart from the rest of garter snakes species mentioned above. They also have faint streaks of yellow also.

Only a few sightings of this snake have been documented in southern Kansas, where they often remain around water sources.

There, they consume earthworms, tiny fish, and frogs. It’s interesting to note that because they are so easily tamed, they are popular pets.

4. Western Ribbon Snake

Scientific name: Thamnophis proximus

The western ribbon snake’s tail is as large as one-third of its body. It has a black or brown color with yellow stripes as a mark of their gender.

There have been reports of these garter snakes all around Kansas. Like other garter snakes, they are highly valued prey for carnivores, particularly raptors.

Other predators include raccoons and foxes.

5. Texas Garter Snakes

Scientific name: Thamnophis sirtalis annectens

Identifying Characteristics:

• Adults are about 15 and 28 inches long.
• It is greenish-black in color.
• There is a yellowish stripe along either side and a dark orange or red stripe down the back.
• Common Garter Snakes in Kansas subspecies.

It’s difficult to locate Texas garter snakes in Kansas!

You will rarely see them in great numbers, and they are relatively rare even within their range. Texas Garter Snakes are usually found in damp sand or thick vegetation, close to fresh water. With the exception of the characteristic red stripe along their back, they resemble Eastern and Red-sided Garter Snakes quite a bit!

They will seek shelter in a variety of locations, such as underground burrows, logs, stones, plants, and human waste like boards and rusted metal. These locations aid in their thermoregulation and provide them with safety from predators.

Compared to other garter snakes in Kansas species, Texas garter snakes in Kansas are less hostile and harmless. Except for young Garter snakes, they hardly ever bite when they feel threatened. Adults will probably simply urinate and spray your hands with an unpleasant scent from their anal glands!

6. Red-sided Garter Snakes

Scientific name: Thamnophis proximus parietalis

Identifying Characteristics:

• Colors vary, but they are often dark green to black.
• There are three yellow stripes: one on each side and one down the back.
• In between the yellow stripes, as the name implies, are bars that are either orange or red.
• Common Garter Snakes in Kansas subspecies.

They are habitat generalists, just like other garter snakes. Throughout Kansas, you can find them in fields, ponds, woodlands, shrublands, and rocky places.

There are not enough females to match the number of males in some places after they come out of hibernation. These situations lead to “mating frenzies,” where dozens and dozens of these snakes are discovered together.

Red-sided Garter Snakes must hibernate BELOW the frost line in order to survive Kansas’s colder months. Finding appropriate settings can be challenging depending on the area they are in. Thus, hundreds or even thousands of snakes can be housed in the few suitable hibernation dens!

Conclusion:

Garter snakes in Kansas are crucial components of their habitats because they serve as prey for larger predators in addition to managing the numbers of smaller species.

These four species of garter snakes in Kansas are frequently found in shrubby areas close to water sources, although they are also widespread in other states.