Butler’s Garter Snake
Scientific Name: Thamnophis Butleri
Share this Post
The Butler’s Garter Snake is a non-venomous snake native to states found in America. Its scientific name is Thamnophis butleri while its common name is Butler’s garter snake. The Butler’s Garter Snake is generally a small, slender snake. It usually display a black or brown, olive or black back ground color with three visible yellow or orange lines against it, running longitudinally the snake’s body. These lines can be found on all species belonging to gartner group and it is the precise placement of the lateral stripes that determines the species. Some members of the species come with dark spots between their stripes. Their bellies are usually yellow or green in color. These necks heads are usually very small. The snake is also known for its small head. Adults grow to an average length of fifteen to twenty seven inches. The length of the adult is normally thirty eight to seventy three point three centimeters. Females are generally larger than males. In total, this snake has nineteen rows of scales.
Butler’s Garter Snakes Are Beautiful Creatures
Facts About Butler’s Garter Snakes
Geographic Location
If one wanted to find this snakes, they can find them in the southern lower and eastern Peninsula. The distribution range of these snakes stretches from the centre of Ohio, the west to central of Indiana, the north and eastern Michigan and to the southern part of Ontario, in Canada that is just next to Michigan. One can also find some members of the species in southeastern Wisconsin and in the central peninsula of Ohio’s southern part.
Habitat
Butler’s garter snakes inhabit moist, grassy, open canopy areas, such as meadows, wet prairies, marshes, savannas and grasslands.
Behavior
These snakes often wriggle rapidly backwards and forwards without moving anywhere when frightened. If one wants to get an active snake, then they should go for the Butler’s Garter snake as they are active from spring all the way to late fall. They are also very elusive during the day and can be nocturnal and crepuscular during the summer. These snakes feed almost exclusively on earthworms. The Thamnophis butleri are also very secretive and they become more active under the ground. The snakes are very shy and docile. It is not easy for them to bite a person.
Reproduction
Ovoviviparous, the female Thamnophis butleri give birth to four to nineteen litters of young ones every summer after coming from hibernation. Courtship geared towards reproduction usually starts in late March and goes on to late April. The length of the young ones is usually 125mm-185mm. Parturition normally occurs as from late July to late September. Larger females are known to reproduce large young ones and vice versa.
Captivity
If given a good environment to live in, the Butler’s garter snake can live in captivity for six to ten years. Some have lived for fourteen years. They make good pets as they do not bite easily.
