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Butler's gartersnake
(Thamnophis butleri)

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Family: Colubridae

Size: 15-20 in.

Status: Threatened

Description: The Butler's gartersnake can be easily confused with the eastern plains gartersnake where their ranges overlap in the seven southeastern counties of Wisconsin. The Butler's tends to be smaller than the eastern plains as an adult. The lateral stripes on the Butler's gartersnake usually occur on scale row three and adjacent halves on rows two and four. The stripes are light yellow to a rich orange-yellow color. Background color is brown, black or olive and there may be a double row of black spots between stripes. This gartersnake has an especially small head and a thick neck. The expert opinion of a gartersnake specialist is needed to positively identify this species because of the many variable characteristics of this species. Butler's gartersnakes live in wet to dry prairies, marshes, old fields, roadside grassy areas and vacant lots. Earthworms form the bulk of their diet.

• More information about Butler's gartersnakes is available on the detailed factsheet...


• Butler's Gartersnake Conservation Strategy