Common Name
eastern garter snake

Iowa Range
eastern Iowa along the Mississippi River

Habitat
variety of habitats, including marshes, meadows, woodlands, city parks, and cemetaries

Description
The eastern garter snake can be distinguished from other garter snakes by the later stripes which are located on the second and third scale rows. The median stripe is usually lighter than the two lateral stripes. The scales are strongly keeled and there is a single anal plate. Coloration and pattern is quite variable. Ground color can range from black to olive. The belly is usually greenish or yellowish, with two rows of distinct black spots partially hidden under overlapping portions of the ventrals.