Plains Garter Snake
Plains Garter SnakePlains Garter SnakePlains Garter SnakePlains Garter Snake

Plains Garter Snake

Thamnophis radix

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
40–50% · Possible
overall probability at Elk Island National Park
47 Verified records at Elk Island National Park
September Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's active during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

The plains garter snake (Thamnophis radix) is a species of garter snake native to most of the central United States as far north as Canada and as far south as Texas. It has a distinctive orange or yellow stripe from its head to tail, and the rest of its body is mainly a gray-green color. The snake is commonly found living near water sources such as streams and ponds, but can also be found in urban areas and vacant lots. Although the IUCN lists the species as "Least Concern", some states have given it their own special status. This species is mildly venomous, although the venom is not toxic to humans. Wikipedia →

40–50% of wildlife watchers report a Plains Garter Snake sighting in Elk Island National Park, based on 47 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Closest Relatives at Elk Island National Park

Common Garter Snake
LC Endemic

Common Garter Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Thamnophis sirtalis

Insufficient data

📅 Monthly Probability

5–10
Jan
10–20
Feb
10–20
Mar
40–50
Apr
20–30
May
30–40
Jun
40–50
Jul
50–60
Aug
50–60
Sep
20–30
Oct
10–20
Nov
10–20
Dec

☀️ When They're Spotted

Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)

☀️Diurnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Elk Island National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
40–50%
2 Badlands National Park 🇺🇸 United States
20–30%
3 Riding Mountain National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
20–30%

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Plains Garter Snake in Elk Island National Park?

About 40% of wildlife watchers report a Plains Garter Snake sighting in Elk Island National Park, based on 47 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Plains Garter Snake in Elk Island National Park?

September has the highest sighting rate for Plains Garter Snake in Elk Island National Park in our monthly data.

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