Description: The Texas garter snake has a greenish-black back with a distinctive bright-orange or red stripe down the center, and yellowish stripes on either side of the body that extend through the second, third, and fourth rows of dorsal scales above the belly plates. Adults range in total length (including tail) from 15 to 28 inches.

Habitat: The Texas garter snake is a terrestrial species. It is uncommon, even in its central Texas range, and seldom found in large numbers. It can be found in a wide range of habitats, but is usually close to a water source. It has typically been found in stream-side vegetation or in damp soil near bodies of water. It can be found under objects like old metal or wood, under ground, and in plants.

Range: The Texas garter snake is found predominantly in central Texas, with disjunct populations in southwestern Kansas and western Oklahoma.

Found in these States: AR | KS | OK | TX

Diet: This subspecies preys primarily on frogs, toads, worms and an occasional salamander.

Reproduction: The Texas Garter Snake is ovoviviparous (bearing live young). Gestation is usually two to three months. A litter of about 10 to 40 young are born between late July and October.

Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of its extremely wide distribution, presumed large population, and because populations are unlikely to be declining.

Taxonomy: