Butler's garter snake

Butler's Garter Snake ( Thamnophis butleri )

Butler's Garter Snake ( Thamnophis butleri ) is one with an average of 65 cm length of the smallest members of the genus garter snake ( Thamnophis ). Its distribution area is north of the United States.

Description

The size of Butler's Garter Snake is between 50 and 74 cm, the females are considerably larger than the males. The ground color varies from olive to brown to black with a yellow back stripe, often black dots are scattered over the back. The side stripes are orange to yellow. The top of the head is uniformly black. The color of the iris ranges from beige to brown.

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of Butler's Garter Snake is the Great Lakes in the United States. Here she comes in southwestern Ontario, east of Michigan, Indiana to the east and west of Ohio before. In the southeast of Wisconsin to exist single, isolated populations. Butler's Garter Snake settled before all things water-rich areas such as marshes and wet meadows or lives near watercourses.

Way of life

Butler's Garter Snake is mainly crepuscular and hides during the day under leaves, trees or bushes. The main food are smaller amphibians, fish and earthworms. It is considered a winter rest 4-5 months, on completion of which will take place the pairing between late March and early April. After 2 ½ to 3 months, the fully developed young are born.